ECOWAS-AU Joint Mission Engages Key Stakeholders Ahead Of Côte d’Ivoire’s Presidential Election

Ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025, the joint Election Observation Mission (EOM) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), led by H.E. Professor Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice-President of Nigeria, held a series of high-level engagements in Abidjan from October 21 to 23.

Joined by his deputy, H.E. Baboucarr Blaise Ismaïla Jagne, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah (ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security), H.E. Fanta Cissé (ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire), and other senior officials from ECOWAS and the AU, Prof. Osinbajo met with a wide range of electoral stakeholders to assess preparations and promote peaceful, credible elections.

On October 21, the delegation consulted with ECOWAS technical experts and representatives of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP). Prof. Osinbajo also held discussions with presidential candidate Mr. Ahoua Don Melo and Mr. Yapi Koffi Evariste, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Ivorians Abroad.

Later that day, meetings were held with Mr. Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert, President of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), and Mr. René Bourgoin, President of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA).

On October 22, Prof. Osinbajo met with Mr. Ibrahim Bacongo Cissé, Executive Secretary of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), H.E. Ms. Chantal Nanaba Camara, President of the Constitutional Council, and the Group of African Ambassadors in Côte d’Ivoire.

Throughout these engagements, Prof. Osinbajo emphasized the mission’s objective to understand the electoral landscape and potential challenges. He commended Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts to organize free, inclusive, and peaceful elections, and reaffirmed ECOWAS and AU support through the deployment of over 250 observers and technical assistance.

On October 23, Prof. Osinbajo addressed the 187 ECOWAS observers, urging them to conduct their duties independently, in line with international standards and national laws, using the tools provided during their training. He also met with H.E. Ms. Jessica Davis, U.S. Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, and held security-focused discussions with Lieutenant General Vagondo Diomandé at the Ministry of the Interior and Security.

Additional courtesy visits included meetings with Mr. Samba Koné, President of the National Press Authority (ANP), and Ms. Namizata Sangaré, President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH).

In his address to observers, Prof. Osinbajo stated: “Your mission serves the Ivorian people. It aims to ensure fair and transparent elections that foster acceptance of results, reinforce legitimacy, and strengthen peace, stability, and democracy in Côte d’Ivoire and across West Africa.”