UTV | COLOMBO – Ivory Coast’s PM Amadou Gon Coulibaly has died after falling ill at a ministerial meeting.
The 61-year-old had been chosen as the ruling party’s candidate for October’s presidential election, after Alassane Ouattara said he would not seek a third term in office.
Mr Gon Coulibaly had only just returned from France where he had received two-months’ heart treatment.
President Ouattara said the country was in mourning.
He said Mr Gon Coulibaly had become unwell during a weekly cabinet meeting and was taken to hospital where he later died.
“I pay tribute to my younger brother, my son, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who was for 30 years my closest partner,” the president said. “I salute the memory of a statesman of great loyalty, devotion and love for the homeland.”
Mr Gon Coulibaly’s death creates huge uncertainty over the election.
He had received a heart transplant in 2012 and had travelled to Paris on 2 May for the insertion of a stent.
He returned last Thursday saying: “I am back to take my place by the side of the president, to continue the task of developing and building our country.”
Mr Gon Coulibaly was among the favourites to win the presidential election.
An article in Le Monde on Monday quoted one foreign observer as saying: “If Gon Coulibaly were unfit, Ouattara would have no choice but to run as a candidate because there is no plan B.
“This matter has so far remained taboo because the president has clearly shown his willingness to leave and indicated who his choice was to succeed him.”
Mr Ouattara’s decision in March not to run stunned the country.Foreign Media