The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has deployed a high-level election observation mission to Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the country’s presidential vote scheduled for October 25.
The 187-member delegation is led by former Nigerian Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, signaling the bloc’s heightened concern over political tensions in the region.
Speaking in Abidjan, Osinbajo called for a “transparent and rigorous” electoral process, emphasizing the importance of credible polls in maintaining regional stability.
“We are here to support the Ivorian people and the government in this essential democratic step,” Osinbajo said. “Our hope is that this election will be a success.”
The ECOWAS mission includes 15 long-term experts, 150 short-term observers, and youth representatives. It will operate in parallel with a separate team from the African Union (AU), monitoring polling stations nationwide through November 2.
Côte d’Ivoire, a key ECOWAS member and regional economic hub, faces a contentious political climate. The disqualification of prominent opposition figures—former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-minister Tidjane Thiam—has drawn criticism from international observers, who warn that the exclusions may undermine voter confidence and democratic norms.
Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara is seeking a fourth term following constitutional amendments that permit his candidacy. Opposition groups have condemned the move, describing it as a setback for democratic governance.
Authorities have banned public protests and deployed more than 44,000 security personnel across the country in response to earlier calls for daily demonstrations. Human rights organizations have raised concerns over the scale of the security measures and restrictions on civil liberties.
The stakes are high for the West African sub-region, which has experienced a series of military coups and political upheavals in recent years. A peaceful and credible election in Côte d’Ivoire is seen as critical to reinforcing democratic resilience across ECOWAS member states.
The ECOWAS mission is expected to issue a preliminary statement on October 27, which will serve as a key indicator of the election’s credibility and shape international reactions to the outcome.
As voters prepare to head to the polls, regional observers hope that the presence of ECOWAS and AU monitors will help ensure transparency and reduce the risk of post-election unrest.
