Guinea’s constitutional court has approved 82-year-old President Alpha Condé’s third term bid in next month’s election.
The West African country’s highest court also gave the green light to 11 other candidates, including the main opposition challenger Cellou Dalein Diallo.
There have been months of protests against Mr Condé’s re-election bid which has led to the death of more than 30 Guineans.
The protests were triggered by constitutional change in a referendum in March which allowed him to stand for a third term.
The Guinean leader has said that his candidacy for President is because of young people and women.
According to Conde, he is the best candidate for young people and women, hailing women particularly as important pillars in society.
The ruling party nominated Conde following the passage of a new constitution that now allows him to extend his rule.
Mr Condé was first elected in 2010 and got re-elected in 2015.
Some ECOWAS leaders at a recent meeting criticized the decision of some colleagues to run for third terms.
The concerns were expressed at a summit of leaders of the regional bloc in Niamey, the capital of Niger.
At the summit some of the West African leaders including Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari raised red flags over the crisis in some countries as some leaders attempt to extend their constitutional term limits.
The move by Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara as well as President Alpha Condé to run for third terms in their respective countries were points of reference.
Source: Africafeeds.com
