Osinbajo to lead ECOWAS election observation in Côte d’Ivoire

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Nigeria’s former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to lead its election observation mission for Côte d’Ivoire’s upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 25.

According to a statement issued by ECOWAS on Sunday, the mission — which will be in Côte d’Ivoire from October 19 to 29 — is part of the regional body’s ongoing efforts to promote credible, transparent, and peaceful elections across West Africa.

As head of the delegation, Osinbajo will lead a team comprising eminent personalities from various ECOWAS member states.

The team will engage with political stakeholders, electoral authorities, and civil society organizations to foster confidence in the electoral process and ensure a calm pre- and post-election atmosphere.

The observers will also collaborate with other international and local monitoring bodies to assess the conduct of the polls, including the voting, counting, and results announcement stages.

ECOWAS said this partnership aims to reinforce trust in Côte d’Ivoire’s democratic process and strengthen electoral integrity in the region.

“The deployment of this mission demonstrates ECOWAS’ strong commitment to peace, stability, and credible elections in West Africa,” the organization stated.

The upcoming election has drawn significant international attention, coming at a politically sensitive moment for Côte d’Ivoire.

President Alassane Ouattara, aged 83, has declared his intention to seek a fourth term in office, a decision that has sparked controversy and reignited debates about constitutional term limits.

Opposition parties have accused the government of attempting to entrench itself in power, heightening political tensions ahead of the vote.

Observers fear that if the process is perceived as unfair, it could trigger unrest similar to previous election-related crises in the country.

ECOWAS’ decision to deploy an experienced statesman like Osinbajo is being widely seen as a strategic move to promote dialogue and reassure Ivorians of the regional bloc’s commitment to a peaceful and transparent election.

Osinbajo, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023, is highly regarded across Africa for his leadership, diplomacy, and commitment to democratic values.

His appointment underscores ECOWAS’ confidence in his ability to guide the mission and contribute to maintaining stability during the crucial poll period.

Following the election, the ECOWAS mission will issue a comprehensive report evaluating the conduct of the vote and providing recommendations to further strengthen democracy and good governance in Côte d’Ivoire and across the West African region.