Abidjan, 17 November, 2025 / 11:47 am (ACI Africa).
On the occasion of the National Day of Peace, marked annually on November 15 in Ivory Coast, Catholic Bishops in the West African nation have expressed concern over post-election violence and urged national leaders to embrace dialogue, reconciliation and concrete steps towards lasting peace.
In a message issued by the Commission for Justice, Peace, and Environment, members of the Episcopal Conference of Ivory Coast (CECCI) condemn the deadly clashes that erupted after the October 25 presidential election. They note that these tensions echo the electoral crises that have troubled the nation for more than three decades.
“The aftermath of the presidential election—which we hoped, for once, would be fair, transparent, inclusive, and peaceful—we observe a worrying climate. As everyone knows, this situation results from a series of events pitting the government and the opposition against each other, particularly over the interpretation of the Constitution,” CECCI members say in the message issued November 15, Ivory Coast’s 29th National Day of Peace.
They add, “For more than three decades, our country has been shaken by severe tensions and recurring clashes at every presidential election. Unfortunately, all our appeals, expressed through our messages and pastoral letters, have not yet received the necessary response from those concerned.”
They lament recent deadly clashes in Nahio, Kami, Agboville, and Yassap, saying the images and testimonies from these places “shock and sadden”.
