A high-level delegation of former West African leaders under the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Côte d’Ivoire ahead of its crucial October 25, 2025 presidential election. Led by former Benin President Dr. Boni Yayi, Nigeria’s ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and former ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the WAEF team concluded a five-day mediation mission in Abidjan from July 7 to 11. Their visit aimed to foster pre-election stability, build trust among stakeholders, and encourage a peaceful, transparent, and inclusive electoral process.
The delegation held extensive consultations with key institutions and actors, including the Vice President of Côte d’Ivoire, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the Constitutional Council, political party leaders, civil society representatives, and declared presidential candidates. They called for sustained dialogue on contentious electoral issues and encouraged political consensus to safeguard the democratic process. In its statement, WAEF praised the IEC and Ivorian security forces for steps taken to ensure credible and peaceful elections. Dr. Boni Yayi specifically urged political leaders, media outlets, and online influencers to avoid hate speech, incitement, or misinformation, warning that such rhetoric could heighten tensions in an already polarized environment.
WAEF also welcomed the inclusive political atmosphere, noting that the opposition coalition CAP-CI, led by Simone Gbagbo, is actively participating in the citizen sponsorship phase of the presidential election. The group reaffirmed its readiness to continue offering technical support and mediation as needed throughout the electoral process. The mission comes amid heightened public interest and political mobilization in the lead-up to the 2025 elections, viewed as a litmus test for Côte d’Ivoire’s democratic maturity and post-conflict stability.
