The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed former Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to head its election observation mission to Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the country’s crucial presidential election scheduled for October 25.
In a statement released on Sunday, the regional bloc said the mission will be deployed from October 19 to 29 in line with the provisions of its supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance. As head of mission, Osinbajo is expected to lead a delegation of prominent West Africans to engage key stakeholders and support efforts toward a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process in the Francophone nation.
ECOWAS said the delegation will also collaborate with other international and domestic observer groups to monitor the conduct of the polls and boost public confidence in the democratic process. The organisation added that the deployment reflects its “unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections” across West Africa.
The October 25 election comes at a tense moment for Côte d’Ivoire’s political landscape. President Alassane Ouattara, 83, is seeking a fourth term in office, a move that has sparked political debate and raised fresh concerns over constitutional term limits and democratic transition. His decision has heightened political tension and increased regional interest in the outcome of the vote.
With Osinbajo leading the mission, ECOWAS aims to reinforce its influence in mediating electoral processes in the region and preventing potential unrest linked to contested polls.
