It is during the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Republic that President Alassane Dramane Ouattara through his message to the nation confirmed his candidacy for the presidential election of 31 October 2020. A few parts of the speech.
Ivorians, Ivorians, My dear compatriots, Dear friends of Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire celebrates this Friday, August 7, 2020, the 60th anniversary of its accession to Independence. This date marks an important date in the history of our country. It celebrates the men and women who have borne the great dream of freedom for each one of us. I first of all have a thought for the father of the
Ivorian Nation, our model, President Félix Houphouët-Boigny and his companions who, united and in solidarity, fought and won
the independence of our country. The celebration of this 60th anniversary of our country’s independence is a tribute to their memories. This celebration is also a tribute to all those generations of men and women who have worked and continue to work, sometimes at the cost of ultimate sacrifices, to build our beloved Ivory Coast…
My fellow Canadians, One of the major challenges of this year 2020 is also the presidential election of October 31, 2020. It is imperative that this electoral deadline be respected, to anchor democracy in our country. Yes, democracy means holding elections on the dates set out in the constitution. The Government has been working on this for several months and important steps have already been taken. After the reform of the Independent Electoral Commission, the revision of the Electoral Code and that of the electoral list, our country is
resolutely committed to free, transparent and peaceful elections. The recent decision of the African Court on Human Rights and people do not question the law establishing the CIS. In this regard, I welcome the participation of all the opposition to the structures of the CIS, following this decision. The objective of the Government is that these elections allow us to close the dark pages of our recent history and that none of us wish to relive.
That is why I invite every political party, every candidate, to also work to achieve this objective, so that these elections
be a great moment of peaceful and exemplary democracy. My dear compatriots, As far as I am concerned, I have, as you know, On 5 March last, I expressed my willingness to the whole nation, in front of the Parliament meeting in Congress in Yamoussoukro, although the new Constitution allows me to do so, not to apply for office and to pass the hand over to a new generation. Since this decision, I had begun to organize my departure; to make all the personal and political arrangements.
I am therefore a candidate in the presidential election of October 31, 2020.
I planned my life after the presidency. I had undertaken to revive the activities of my Institute and to create the International ADO Foundation, whose premises are being finished. I was thinking of putting my economic and governance experience to the service of countries and institutions that wish to do so. At the political level, my decision resulted in the appointment, on March 12, 2020, of a candidate, team leader of this new generation of competent and dedicated executives, able to preserve our country’s achievements in terms of peace and progress. But, as the saying goes, Man proposes, God disposes. Recent tragic events, with death Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, leave a void at the level of the team I had set up to continue and consolidate the
economic and social development program that you trusted me with. Also, the very tight schedule, barely three months before the presidential election; the challenges we face for peacekeeping, national security and regional as well as the need to curb the health crisis; the risk that all the gains, after so much effort and sacrifice by the entire population, will be compromised; the risk that our country will retreat in many areas; All of this leads me to reconsider my position. Faced with this case of force majeure and out of civic duty, I decided to respond favorably to the call of my fellow citizens asking me to be a candidate in the presidential election of October 31, 2020. I am therefore a candidate in the presidential election of October 31, 2020.
I can assure you that this decision, carefully considered, is a duty that I accept in the best interests of the nation, in order to
continue to relentlessly put my experience at the service of our country. Given the importance I attach to my commitments and to the word given, this decision represents a real sacrifice for me, which I fully assume, out of love for my country. With this decision, I also want to take the time to finish preparing the next generation. I also intend to strengthen the actions of gathering and reconciliation of all our compatriots…
Happy Independence Day to all.
Long live the Republic!
Long live Ivory Coast!
God bless our beautiful country!
