Africa
By Anayo Ezugwu
THE joint high-level solidarity mission of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, have called for credible, transparent and peaceful presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire. The purpose of the mission is to provide Ivorian stakeholders with an additional high level consultative platform.
The joint mission in a communiqué signed on October 7 in Abidjan, said that there was an ongoing effort to establish communication and interaction among political actors ahead of the October 31 presidential election. It also wanted the political actors to agree on consensual commitments for an inclusive, transparent and peaceful presidential election.
The mission also held consultations with various institutional actors, including the Prime Minister, the Ministers of territorial administration and decentralization, security and civil protection, as well as the presidents of the Independent Electoral Commission, IEC, and the constitutional council on the state of preparations for the election.
“The joint mission held consultations with stakeholders in Cote d’Ivoire, including political parties in the ruling coalition, opposition parties, candidates, the group of African, European and partner ambassadors accredited to the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, as well as various civil society organizations, women and youth associations. The joint mission welcomed the commitment and willingness of the authorities to promote an inclusive, transparent, credible and peaceful election.
“It also welcomed the progress made in the preparation of the various technical components for a presidential election, whose results would be accepted by all. The mission expressed deep concern over the lack of trust among Ivorian political actors. It strongly condemned the acts of violence and hate speech with ethnic overtones, which have unfortunately entered the field of political competition and are likely to have a negative impact on the progress made so far in the country,” it said.
The joint mission, therefore, urged all stakeholders to adopt dialogue in resolving all outstanding issues and to commit themselves to the organization and holding of a credible, transparent, and inclusive election, respectful of human rights and taking into account the preventive measures related to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. It encouraged the stakeholders to secure the electoral process as well as the protection of the physical safety of candidates and their supporters before, during, and after the election.
– Oct. 13, 2020 @ 13:55 GMT |
Tags: AU ECOWAS UN call for peaceful election in Cote d’Ivoire
