Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said on Thursday he would not run in October’s election, ending months of speculation over his intentions.
“I would like to solemnly announce that I will not be a candidate in the October 31 2020 presidential election and I will transfer power to the younger generation,” Ouattara said in a speech to Congress.
Ouattara came to power in 2011 after a prolonged crisis that ended with the ousting of then-president Laurent Gbagbo following bloodshed that claimed 3 000 lives.