Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara says he will quit when his term ends in 2020.
He wants to hand over power to what he calls a new generation of leaders in his country.
The Ivorian leader’s two terms in office will end in 2020. But there were fears he could seek re-election.
He said “France today has a president who is 40 years old. I do not mean that I’m too old but … It’s sobering. The world is changing.”
Last month Ouattara revealed that he could run again in 2020 since his country’s constitution permits him.
He told the French magazine Jeune Afrique that “The new constitution authorizes me to serve two terms starting in 2020”.
The 76 year old leader however said in that interview that “I will only make a definitive decision then, based on the situation in Ivory Coast. Stability and peace come before all else, including my principles”.
Speaking in the main city Abidjan on Monday, the Ivorian leader said he would step down.
New Constitution
The new constitution permits two-term limit but since Ouattara won previous elections under the old constitution, that would not count against him.
In November 2016 Ivorian voters approved the new constitution but the process was boycotted by the opposition.
The old constitution required that both parents of any presidential candidate be natural-born Ivorian citizens. That requirement disqualified Ouattara from the 2000 presidential election, fuelling a split within the country.
Source: Africafeeds.com
