Côte d'Ivoire: calls for calm for a peaceful election multiply

Before the election of October 31, religious and artists multiplied calls for calm (illustration image) REUTERS / Luc Gnago

Text by: RFI Follow

5 mins

As Ivorians prepare to vote to elect their president this Saturday, October 31, religious leaders renew their call for unity while artists sing in favor of tolerance.

The country remains marked by the electoral violence of 2010. And hopes that this election will take place in peace.

Publicity

Read more

The Alliance of Religions for Peace, which brings together representatives of several cults, Muslims and Christians in Côte d'Ivoire made a statement Friday afternoon to call for calm and invite Ivorians to preserve peace.

We think that making another call for peace the day before the poll is a plus

," underlines Father Emile Kelignon Aka, Alliance spokesperson at the microphone of our correspondent

Jenna Le Bras

.

We believe it can have an impact, a positive outcome.

That of appeasing hearts. 

"

Nothing is above the Ivory Coast,"

continues the Deputy Secretary General of the Conference of Catholic Bishops

.

We, religious guides, we go to those in power, to the opposition, to the children of Côte d'Ivoire to tell them: disarm your hearts.

After the deadline, after the votes, Côte d'Ivoire will be there and we need peace to go about our business, to live.

 "

"Like a call"

But it is not just religious representatives who are calling for peace.

Four prominent artists, three singers and a comedian, have teamed up to produce a song called "Comme un Appel" in which they urge Ivorians to put their difference aside.

Reggae singer Kajeem recalls the violence of 2010 and worries about the tensions of recent weeks.

“ 

When conflicts erupt, one has the impression that people have forgotten who they are, that they are used to living and sharing a certain number of things with the people around them and that they there is a sort of fleeting madness that seizes everyone.

I'm not sure what divides us but what unites us above all is the Ivory Coast. 

"

To read also: Ivorian presidential election: far from partisan cleavages, bloggers give voice

The song aims to reach as many Ivorians as possible with a message of tolerance, especially young people, especially those from disadvantaged neighborhoods who can be easily manipulated, believes rap singer Nash.

So she decided to sing in nouchi, a local slang.

 It is a language that is accessible to this population of so-called disadvantaged neighborhoods.

We ask them not to let themselves be manipulated, not to attack their neighbor.

Think about your future, don't get into politics, there's no point in using violence to express yourself.

 "

A song sponsored by the ICRC and broadcast on social networks and local radio stations for more than a month, especially in Yopougon, the popular district on the outskirts of Abidjan, which has more than a million inhabitants, recalls our envoy. special

Alexandra Brangeon

.

Artists mobilize in song

Alexandra Brangeon

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Ivory Coast

On the same subject

ANALYSIS

Ivory Coast: Laurent Gbagbo, the card of the unifying opponent

Reports

Ivory Coast: in Bouaké and Abidjan, concern points before the election