“You can consolidate peace or reopen old wounds” – Catholic laity warn ahead of Côte d’Ivoire polls

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – The National Council of the Catholic Laity of Côte d’Ivoire (CNL-CI) has sent a strong message to the country’s political class ahead of the October 25 elections to put the nation’s peace above personal ambition.

In a statement issued by the President of the Catholic lay body, Krou Aka Marc, on 21 October, the group cautioned that Saturday’s presidential election could either “consolidate peace or reopen old wounds,” depending on the choices made by leaders and citizens alike.

“The peace of our nation will not come by chance,” the statement warned. “It will be the fruit of justice, truth and love for the common good.”

Operating under the spiritual guidance of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Côte d’Ivoire, the CNL-CI echoed the bishops’ recent call for “a just, transparent, inclusive and peaceful election.” The group said truth and transparency must guide every stage of the process—from voter registration to the announcement of results.

It urged the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) to demonstrate impartiality and ensure that “no citizen or political group feels excluded.” Political leaders, it added, must “renounce hate speech and manipulation” and instead promote reconciliation and unity.

The laity further called on Catholics to participate actively and peacefully in the elections, rejecting bribery, misinformation and tribal divisions. “Let your vote be a testimony of faith and love for the nation,” the statement said.

On 25 October 2025, Ivorians will be called to vote in a presidential election with unique characteristics. On September 9, the Constitutional Council published the final list of five approved candidates, a decision that cannot be appealed and which closes the door to several major contenders, including leaders of the two main opposition parties.

President Alassane Ouattara’s decision to stand for a fourth term in office and the electoral commission’s exclusion of major opposition candidates means the suspense is rather lacking from Côte d’Ivoire’s presidential election on 25 October.

Other contenders are Ahoua Don Mello, Jean Louis Billon, Simone Gbagbo (former wife of Laurent Gbagbo) and Henriette Lagou Adjoua – stand very little chance of unseating President Ouattara, who has now been in office for 14 years.