Presidential election in Ivory Coast: will the revenge of the “Sphinx of Daoukro” take place?

Aged 86, Henri Konan Bédié is therefore running for supreme office once again (illustration image) SIA KAMBOU / AFP

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Henri Konan Bédié is officially a candidate for the presidential election. The former Ivorian head of state announced it on Saturday June 20 in Abidjan during a PDCI ceremony officially urging him to present himself at the candidate's nomination convention for the party on July 25 and 26. . Aged 86, Henri Konan Bédié is therefore running for supreme office once again, which he left by force of a military coup in 1999.

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With our correspondent in Abidjan, Sidy Yansané

For Henri Konan Bédié, this may be the beginning of his revenge on history . The ex-president has never hidden the frustration that inhabits him since his overthrow in December 1999 which gave way to the military regime of General Robert Gueï.

Fallen, the second president of Côte d'Ivoire then approaches Alassane Ouattara, his lifelong rival. From the alliance between the PDCI and the RDR of Ouattara was born the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace, which rose to power in 2011 against outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo, after a post-electoral crisis that caused more than 3,000 dead.

The honeymoon at the top of the state between the two best enemies continues until 2018 when Bédié switches to opposition. While he stood behind President Ouattara to ensure his re-election five years ago, the Sphinx of Daoukro accuses the current head of state of having broken their pact, namely to support a candidacy again unique for 2020, but from the ranks of the PDCI, this time.

Abandoned by several party officials, Bédié still turns to an ex-rival. Since his acquittal at first instance at the ICC, Laurent Gbag bo has been favored by his predecessor, with whom he formed a coalition for the presidential election in October.

With Henri Konan Bédié in the nomination contest , the chances of victory for possible opponents to the candidacy are slim. At 86, the revenge of the Sphinx may well take place.

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  • Ivory Coast
  • Ivory Coast Politics
  • Henri Konan Bédié

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Presidential election in Ivory Coast: Henri Konan Bédié candidate for the nomination of the PDCI