A delegation of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) on Wednesday arrived in Côte d’Ivoire to observe the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for Saturday October 25, 2025.
This high-level Election Observation and Mediation Mission is led by H.E. Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi, former President of the Republic of Benin. He is joined by H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and chair of WAEF, and Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former United Nations Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, along with other distinguished members of the Forum.
The visit follows an earlier pre-election assessment mission conducted in Abidjan in September 2025, during which the Elders engaged key stakeholders to assess the political and electoral environment and encourage peaceful preparations for the polls.
The current observation mission reaffirms WAEF’s commitment to supporting credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections in Côte d’Ivoire, in line with national laws and regional democratic norms.
During their stay, the WAEF delegation will hold further consultations with electoral stakeholders including government officials, political party leaders, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), civil society organizations, the media, and the diplomatic community.
Speaking upon arrival in Abidjan on Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Jonathan founder and chair of WAEF, stated that the objective of the Mission is to demonstrate solidarity with the people of Côte d’Ivoire and to support the country’s democratic institutions in their efforts to conduct peaceful, credible, and transparent elections in line with national laws and international standards.
He said further: “We return to Côte d’Ivoire with a message of solidarity and peace. We commend the preparations so far and urge all political actors and citizens to uphold the values of democracy, avoid violence, and prioritize national unity throughout the electoral process.”
The West African Elders Forum will monitor the pre-election, election day, and immediate post-election environment, and will remain engaged in the country until the election processes are peacefully concluded.
WAEF expresses its appreciation to the people and government of Côte d’Ivoire for their continued cooperation and hospitality.
WAEF is an independent platform of former West African heads of state and other eminent persons working to promote peace, democratic consolidation, and political stability in the region. The Forum engages in preventive diplomacy, quiet mediation, and electoral support initiatives in member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). So far it had deployed peace mediation missions before and during elections to many countries including Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal and The Gambia.
Ikechukwu Eze
Special Adviser to H.E. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
