AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Bishops invite “to work together to ensure that the vote on October 31 takes place peacefully”

Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - "Fair, transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections." This is the wish of the bishops of Ivory Coast for the presidential elections on October 31.
" Ivory Coast is at a crucial turning point in its history. We therefore call for strengthening its ethical foundations and democratic legitimacy by deciding to politically include all candidates for a fair, transparent, and peaceful presidential election," said Marcellin Yao Kouadio, President of the Bishops' Conference of Ivory Coast and Bishop of Daloa, at a press conference on March 24.
The bishops called on the authorities in Abidjan to ensure a peaceful climate and an electoral process without the exclusion of any candidate. This was a clear reference to the exclusion of Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé, and Guillaume Soro from the recently published electoral list. Giving all candidates a chance to be elected is all the more necessary and "urgent given that national reconciliation represents a real challenge." "Despite the government's considerable efforts, some projects initiated for this purpose have remained like unfinished symphonies," noted Bishop Marcellin Yao Kouadio. The bishops appealed to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to guarantee the transparency of the electoral process from beginning to end and to work for a climate of trust between political parties and citizens that ensures dialogue and fairness.
Addressing the political parties, the President of the Bishops' Conference called on them to work for national unity and put the common interest first. The media and social networks should disseminate "verified and balanced" information and refrain from any form of incitement to hatred and division. The same appeal was addressed to young people and the defense and security forces, so that they do not allow themselves to be manipulated by political actors and demonstrate professionalism and neutrality in safeguarding the electoral process. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 26/3/2025)

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