Ivory Coast ruling party says it has asked president to run again

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara and his wife Dominique Ouattara are pictured before the burial of Ivory Coast's late Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly in Korhogo, Ivory Coast, July 17, 2020. Picture taken July 17, 2020. Press Service Of The Presidency [Photo: Reuters]

Ivory Coast’s ruling party said on Monday it had asked President Alassane Ouattara to stand for a third term after the death of his chosen successor.

Ouattara, 78, had said he would step down and named his close ally, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, as the RHDP party’s candidate for the Oct. 31 ballot.