The African Union (AU) on Friday pledged support for Ivory Coast’s upcoming October elections, warning that political instability in the West African country could have wider implications for a region plagued by coups and uprisings.
Speaking after high-level meetings in Abidjan, AU envoy Mahamat Saleh Annadif stressed the need for a peaceful and inclusive election process. “If Ivory Coast sneezes, the whole region can catch a cold,” President Alassane Ouattara warned after talks with opposition leaders and election officials.
Tensions have been rising in the run-up to the election as several key opposition figures have been barred from running, including former President Laurent Gbagbo, former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro and PDCI leader Tidjane Thiam, who was removed from the voter list over questions about his nationality. All face disqualification due to past convictions or unresolved legal issues.
President Ouattara, 83, remains eligible to be on the electoral roll and has been listed, but has yet to confirm whether he will run for a fourth term. He won previous elections in 2015 and 2020 by landslides.
During their visit, the AU delegation met with key stakeholders, including representatives of the opposition coalition, the ruling party, former President Gbagbo and members of the Independent Electoral Commission.
Annadif stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation to ensure a fair and peaceful vote, urging that “everyone must play their part.” The AU stressed its continued support for the electoral process in the interest of regional stability.