The United Nations reaffirmed its support for the political process in Ivory Coast, emphasizing the need for transparent and fair elections. The organization called on all parties to remain calm and prioritize the nation’s best interests.
Leonardo Santos Simão, the UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, urged all political actors in Ivory Coast to act with wisdom and rationality.
Simão’s visit to Ivory Coast on April 19, 2025, aimed to strengthen peace and stability in the country, ensuring democratic practices ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for six months from now. These elections are expected to be marked by intense competition between the opposition and the current political system.
Upon arriving in Abidjan, Simão met with President Alassane Ouattara and leaders of the Independent Election Commission. He also held discussions with leaders of the country’s main opposition parties.
Simão’s visit coincided with demands from opposition parties for significant reforms to the electoral system. These reforms, they argued, would ensure a fair and transparent electoral process, preventing election fraud and manipulation of voters’ will.
The African Peoples’ Party, led by Laurent Gbagbo, called for reforms in the Independent Election Commission, updating the voter registry, and continued political dialogue between the government and opposition parties to agree on a mechanism for implementing these reforms.
Diplomatic Gesture
Observers believe that Simão’s visit was a diplomatic gesture, with limited tangible impact, as the UN lacks the means to pressure the parties into adopting specific plans or reforms.
In a political development signaling increasing complexity, both the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast and the Progressive Peoples’ Party decided not to participate in the Independent Election Commission. They accused it of making decisions unilaterally.
Ivory Coast has previously experienced political and security crises linked to presidential elections. In 2011, following the election of President Alassane Ouattara, his predecessor Laurent Gbagbo refused to hand over power, leading to violent confrontations that resulted in casualties. The intervention of UN forces and the ECOWAS joint military force was required to restore order and ensure a peaceful transfer of power to the elected president.
