ECOWAS Engages Ivorian Stakeholders Ahead of Elections: “We Are Listening to Everyone,” Says Mission Chief.
By Raymond Enoch
As Côte d’Ivoire prepares for its upcoming general elections, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a proactive step by deploying a high-level pre-election information mission to the country. Over two days, July 2nd and 3rd, 2025, the mission, led by Professor Theodore Holo, met with key political stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders, and members of the media, reaffirming ECOWAS’s commitment to supporting peaceful and credible elections in the region.
“We are listening to everyone, and then we will formulate recommendations that will be forwarded to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Omar Alieu Touray,” Professor Holo told stakeholders during the meetings. “He will take the political decisions, in consultation with the current Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, H.E. Julius Madaa Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.”
It would be noted that on Wednesday, July 2nd, the ECOWAS delegation met with leaders of several major political parties, including the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI-RDA), the Coalition of the Congress for Democracy and Peace (CAP-CI), the African People’s Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), and the ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP). The team also held discussions with the Constitutional Council, engaging in frank conversations about electoral preparedness, transparency, and inclusiveness.
Also the ECOWAS High Level mission has on, Thursday, July 3rd ,2025: paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic, H.E. Alassane Ouattara, where they discussed the current political climate and ECOWAS’s role in ensuring a stable electoral process. The mission then met with religious and traditional authorities—key voices in community mobilization and peacebuilding—at the ECOWAS Representation headquarters in Abidjan. Journalists from local private media outlets also had the opportunity to engage with the mission during this session.
Subsequently same day the Professor Holo led team visited the Ministry of Defence and was received in audience by Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara. Discussions focused on the security architecture for the upcoming elections and measures being taken to ensure peace throughout the process.
The ECOWAS pre-election mission is a critical part of the regional bloc’s preventive diplomacy strategy, designed to identify and mitigate potential sources of electoral tension and conflict before they escalate. With Côte d’Ivoire’s history of politically motivated unrest, the inclusive approach of the ECOWAS team has been widely welcomed as a sign of genuine commitment to stability and democratic governance.
The mission is expected to compile its findings and recommendations into a detailed report for the ECOWAS Commission, guiding the next steps ahead of the elections. As the process unfolds, regional and international observers will be watching closely, hopeful that Côte d’Ivoire will chart a course of peace, participation, and progress.
