Former Ivory Coast president backs Ouattara for 2015 election

Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara (R) salutes while walking next to Chief of Staff, General Soumaila Bakayoko (L) during a parade to commemorate the country's 54th Independence Day, outside the presidential palace in Abidjan August 7, 2014. REUTERS/Luc Gnago

DAOUKRO Ivory Coast (Reuters) - Former Ivory Coast President Henri Konan Bedie endorsed President Alassane Ouattara on Wednesday as the sole candidate for the ruling coalition in the 2015 election. "Before the nation assembled here, I am giving clear guidance to support your candidacy at the next presidential election," he said, addressing Ouattara in a speech before political leaders in Bedie's home town of Daoukro.