By RFIPubliée on 25-06-2019Modified on 25-06-2019 at 00:30
As the 2020 presidential election draws nearer, political rhetoric is getting tougher and growing concern that a new crisis will erupt like the one that devastated the country in 2010-2011. The recent remarks on the identity issues held by Henri Konan Bédié are not to reassure.
It is a heartfelt cry that Sunday bishops and archbishops of Côte d'Ivoire launched at the end of their assembly held in Agboville. " Avoid another war, " " Let's avoid another war, " they repeat several times as if to "exorcise the old demons of hatred and division." ".
" It is important to recognize that, as we approach the 2020 elections, there is a climate of widespread fear among the population, " note the religious dignitaries, who state: " Fear related to the reality of recurrent intercommunal conflicts, issues of insecurity, land tenure, illegal occupation of classified forests, illegal gold mining and problems relating to Ivorian identity. "It is on these same topics that the words of Henri Konan Bédié at the beginning of the month had triggered the controversy.
The appeal of Catholic prelates is addressed in particular to the " actors of socio-political life ". " The responsibility of all those in authority requires them to do their utmost to work for reconciliation and social cohesion to prevent crises and consolidate peace, " they warn before appealing " especially to the government For real disarmament. Archbishops and Bishops who say they have already called for disarmament as a precondition for elections in 2015.
" Today again we make this urgent appeal in the name of peace for true reconciliation: all disarm our hearts, our mouths and our arms, because it goes to the life of our nation. "
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