Ivorian president wins party nomination for third term

ABIDJAN - Ivory Coast’s ruling RHDP party has officially nominated President Alassane Ouattara to seek re- election for a third term.

Ouattara on Wednesday asked for more time to consider the nomination, indicating he would announce his decision in a speech to the nation on August 6.

Earlier this year, the 76-year-old Ouattara spoke of paving way for a new generation to lead. His prime minister and preferred successor Amadou Gon Coulibaly died of cardiac arrest earlier this month.

The opposition has been against the possibility of the president serving a third term. Ivory Coast is due to hold elections on October 31 and the electoral commission has promised a fair election.

Meanwhile in Mali, the Muslim cleric seen as the driving force behind the protest movement said the country’s political crisis could be resolved without President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita resigning, offering a more moderate solution than other opposition leaders.

At least 14 protesters were killed earlier this month in demonstrations that have shaken the government since June and raised fears the instability could derail the fight against Islamist extremists in West Africa’s Sahel region.

Despite concessions from Keita and recommendations for moderate reforms by regional leaders, the M5- RFP coalition organising the protests said on Tuesday it wanted Keita gone and has called for more civil disobedience.

But influential preacher Mahmoud Dicko, who has led the protests even though he is not a coalition member, took a softer line in an interview on Wednesday.

“I think we can find a solution without going as far as the resignation of the president. Aside from his resignation, there are lots of things that can be done,” he said. – BBC/REUTERS.