Former heads of states under the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Côte d’Ivoire in its preparations for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025.
The assurance follows a pre-election mediation mission held in Abidjan from July 7 to 11 by Dr. Boni Yayi, former President of Benin; Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria; and Mohammed Ibn Chambas, former ECOWAS Commission President. During their visit, the delegation met with key stakeholders including the Vice President, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the Constitutional Council, political parties, candidates, and civil society groups, encouraging dialogue and consensus-building.
WAEF commended the openness and cooperation of all parties engaged in the electoral process and urged continued dialogue on major electoral issues.
The Forum also emphasized the need for political actors, media, and influencers to avoid hate speech and promote peace. Dr. Boni Yayi praised the IEC and security forces for efforts to ensure credible elections and reiterated WAEF’s readiness to assist wherever needed to safeguard democratic stability. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition CAP-CI, led by Simone Gbagbo, has confirmed its participation in the ongoing citizen sponsorship process for the presidential vote.
