Osinbajo to lead ECOWAS election observation mission in Côte d’Ivoire
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 presidential election scheduled for October 25.
In a statement on Sunday, ECOWAS announced that the mission will be deployed from October 19 to 29 in accordance with the bloc’s supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance.
As head of mission, Osinbajo will lead a delegation of distinguished West Africans to engage national stakeholders and support efforts toward ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process in the Francophone nation.
ECOWAS said the mission will also collaborate with international and local observer groups to monitor the conduct of the polls and strengthen public confidence in the democratic process.
The regional body emphasized that the deployment reflects its unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections across West Africa.
The October 25 election is expected to be a closely watched event amid rising political tension, as President Alassane Ouattara, 83, seeks a fourth term despite earlier promises to step down at the end of his current tenure. His decision has sparked renewed debate over term limits and political transition in Côte d’Ivoire.
