The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed former Nigerian Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, as head of its election observation mission to Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the country’s presidential election scheduled for October 25.
In a statement released on Sunday, ECOWAS said the mission would be deployed from October 19 to 29, in line with its supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance.
As head of mission, Osinbajo will lead a delegation of eminent West Africans to engage key national stakeholders and promote a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process in the Francophone nation.
The regional bloc added that the team would collaborate with other international and domestic observer groups to assess the conduct of the polls and strengthen public confidence in the democratic process.
ECOWAS described the deployment as a reflection of its “unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections” across West Africa.
The October 25 election is taking place at a critical moment for Côte d’Ivoire’s democracy, as President Alassane Ouattara, 83, seeks a controversial fourth term in office — a decision that has heightened political tension and reignited debates over term limits and democratic transitions in the country.
