Ivory Coast’s Prime Minister 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.

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 Gon Coulibaly had become unwell during a weekly cabinet meeting and was taken to hospital where he later died.

His death creates huge uncertainty over the election.