Incumbent Secures Fourth Term in Ivory Coast’s Presidential Poll, Religious Leaders Call for Peace

Ahead of the polls, religious leaders in Ivory Coast appealed for calm and “restraint.”

In a joint statement issued September 28, members of the Episcopal Conference of Ivory Coast (CECCI) and the Higher Council of Imams, Mosques and Islamic Affairs (COSIM) warn against the rise of utterances that cause social tensions.

“Peace must come before any other consideration,” the religious leaders emphasized.

Catholic Bishops in the West African nation have called on citizens to remain calm and to turn to prayer and fasting.

In a statement issued on October 25, CECCI members urged Christians to pray for peace and unity during the October 25 polls, warning against the risk of renewed violence.

More in Africa

South African Catholic Bishop Known for Liturgical Reform at Conference Dies at 76

Read the article

“Let us not forget that our duty is to be a model of the hope promised to humanity. Let us continue our intercession through the ‘prayer for peace in Ivory Coast,” the Catholic Church leaders said.

On its part, the leadership of the Episcopal Commission for Justice, Peace, and the Environment in and the National Laity Council urged young people to reject violence and become agents of peace ahead of the country’s October 25 presidential election.

In an interview with ACI Africa, the National Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Justice, Peace, and the Environment, Fr. Eric Norbert Abékan, posed, “Young Ivorians, do you want to live in a country of peace, a country that will allow you to pursue better studies, grow, succeed, and take your place in society? Or do you want a country reduced to ashes?”

“The media show us countries completely in ruins, and many African youths flee Africa because there is war everywhere. Unfortunately, many die at sea, under the Sahara sun, in the desert. It is painful,” Fr. Abékan said.

The Parish Priest of St. Jacques des Deux Plateaux Parish of the Archdiocese of Abidjan pleaded with the youth to choose peace over violence, saying, “Young men and women, I implore you, in the name of Christ, to choose non-violence as a mode of advocacy.”