Presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire: ECOWAS calls for calm and the lifting of the boycott
Protesters disperse and flee after a demonstration in the Cocody district against a possible third term of Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan on October 19, 2020. PATRICK FORT / AFP
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3 min
In Côte d'Ivoire, the ECOWAS ministerial mission ended its two-day mission on Monday, October 19.
In its final statement, the delegation of the Economic Community of West African States called for restraint but also invited Pascal Affi N'guessan, of the FPI and Henri Konan Bedié, of the PDCI to reconsider their word of order of boycott of the electoral process and of civil disobedience.
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With our correspondent in Abidjan
,
Jenna Le Bras
It was after a courtesy visit to outgoing President Alassane Ouattara and consultations with the Prime Minister, the opposition political parties but also several accredited ambassadors and members of the United Nations Security Council, that the declaration took place.
It operates in a tense climate.
For several days, in fact, violent clashes have resumed, particularly in the center-east of the country but also in several districts of Abidjan.
She had initially made an appointment at the headquarters of the institution but it was finally, quickly, on the tarmac of the airport, that
the ECOWAS mission
made its final declaration.
It was an interpreter, alongside Ghanaian Foreign Minister Shirley Botchway, who read the conclusions of this visit.
Show tolerance and avoid hate speech
“
The mission urged the candidates to focus on realistic points to help resolve disputes, with a view to inclusive, transparent, credible and non-violent participation in the presidential election.
The mission urged candidates and political parties to make considerable efforts to reach an agreement on the presidential election
”.
In this short statement, the delegation also called on everyone to show tolerance and avoid hate speech that could lead to violence.
She also urged the PDCI and FPI candidates to reconsider their call for boycott and civil disobedience.
On the side of the PDCI, the climate was tense following this statement, said an official.
At the FPI, however, we welcome this mediation.
“
The ECOWAS is in its role.
She asks that the dialogue be started and we are delighted about it,
”explains Jean-Bonin Kouadio.
The opposition platform is planning a joint official statement on Wednesday October 21.
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