Ivory Coast PM, presidential candidate Amadou Coulibaly dies

ABIDJAN, Cote d’Ivoire – Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, the presidential candidate of Ivory Coast’s ruling party, died Wednesday just days after returning from two months of medical treatment in France, the country’s presidency announced.

Coulibaly’s death throws the upcoming presidential election into disarray, raising concerns about who now will represent the party of President Alassane Ouattara, who is required to step down after his second term.

Ouattara’s party has been in power since election violence a decade ago left some 3,000 people dead after then-President Laurent Gbagbo refused to acknowledge his defeat in a runoff vote.

Initially, there was speculation that Ouattara would try to extend his rule, but he eventually said he would not run and threw his support behind Coulibaly.

The 61-year-old Coulibaly sought medical care in France in May, saying it was only for a checkup. He was allowed to travel abroad despite Ivory Coast’s airports being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He returned to Abidjan six days ago but fell ill and died Wednesday after attending a ministerial meeting at the presidential palace.