By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Crisis is brewing in Ivory Coast following President Alassane Ouattara’s third term bid in the October presidential election, which many believe is unconstitutional.
Already, Ouattara, foreseeing trouble, has appealed to his main opponents and religious leaders to intervene and ease tensions.
The presudent made the appeal during a tour of the east of Ivory Coast on Friday, according to Reuters.
Besides, it is believed that Ouattara has had informal discussions with political leaders.
The world’s top cocoa-producing nation has seen a spate of violent protests, with a least 10 killed and over a hundred wounded in clashes between protesters and police since Ouattara announced his bid in August.
Reuters had reported that the election was being seen as the greatest test yet for stability since a brief civil war killed about 3,000 people following a disputed election in 2010 won by Ouattara.
Ouattara decided to run in the October 31 election after the sudden death of his handpicked successor, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, in July.
His opponents say the constitution forbids him because he has already had two terms. The Ivory Coast Constitutional Council is set to rule on his eligibility, and those of other candidates next week. Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko is expected to meet youth leaders of the main opposition parties next week to restart discussions, and end street violence before the election, a government statement said on Friday.
