Ivory Coast president will run for third term

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara is running for a third term, defying opponents who say the constitution forbids him from running again.

He formally accepted the ruling party's nomination to be its candidate on Thursday (August 7).

Ouattara has governed since 2011 -- and said in March he would not run again.

But the leading party asked him to reconsider after his preferred successor, then-prime minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, died in July.

"I can assure you that this decision which, which I came to maturely, is a duty that I accept in the interest of the nation and in order to continue to relentlessly to put my experience at the service of our country. Given the importance I give to my responsibilities and to my word, this decision represents a true sacrifice for me and which I take full responsibility for out of love for my country."

Ouattara argues his first two mandates do not count under new constitution adopted in 2016.

This election is seen as the greatest test yet of the tenuous stability achieved since a brief civil war in 2010 and 2011, which killed about 3,000 people following Ouattara's first election win.

The deadly conflict sparked when then-president Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down following Ouattara’s victory.

The first round of polling will be held on October 31.