Pascal Affi N’Guessan, the leader of Ivorian Popular Front (IPF), one of the opposition parties in Ivory Coast, has announced a transition government in the West African country following President Alassane Ouattara victory in Saturday’s election.
Opposition parties in Ivory Coast had boycotted the presidential election over President Ouattara’s decision to stand for a third term. They claim the constitution only allows two terms for public office holders, but Ouattara’s supporters say a constitutional amendment early in the year acted as a reset button to the terms.
According to N’Guessan, one of the transitional government’s roles will be to organise a fair, transparent and inclusive presidential election.
He said a council of national transition had been formed which would appoint a transitional government to be headed by former president Henri Konan Bédié, who is the head of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast.
“As a consequence of the vacancy of the executive power with the end of the presidential mandate of Mr. Alassane Ouattara and the failure to hold a credible election, considering that the maintenance of Mr. Alassane Ouattara as head of state is likely to lead to a civil war, the opposition political parties and groups announce the creation today of the National Transitional Council.
“The National Transitional Council is lead by Mr. Henri Konan Bedie. Opposition parties and political groups affirm that the call for civil disobedience is maintained and call on the Ivorian people to remain mobilized until the final victory”, said Pascal Affi N’Guessan, one of the leaders of the opposition.
The ruling party has warned the opposition against any “attempt to destabilise” the country.
At least nine people were killed in clashes during the election, as opposition protesters tried to stop people from voting.