The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), as the Head of its Election Observation Mission for the forthcoming presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire.
In a statement released by ECOWAS on Wednesday, the regional body said the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire is scheduled to hold on October 25, 2025, while the mission will be deployed from October 19 to 29, 2025.
The mission, according to the statement, is being conducted in line with the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which provides for regional support toward transparent and credible elections in member states.
“As Head of Mission, Professor Osinbajo will lead a delegation of eminent West Africans who will engage with key national stakeholders to encourage a peaceful and credible electoral process,” ECOWAS said.
“The team will also collaborate with international and domestic observer groups to assess the conduct of the polls and ensure that the election reflects the will of the Ivorian people,” the statement added.
The observation mission, which is one of ECOWAS’ key instruments for supporting democracy in the sub-region, will be composed of election experts, diplomats, and civil society representatives drawn from across West Africa.
Under Professor Osinbajo’s leadership, the team will assess the legal framework, political environment, media access, security arrangements, and the transparency of the voting and counting processes.
The observers are expected to hold consultations with the Independent Electoral Commission of Côte d’Ivoire (CEI), political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and security agencies.
Their preliminary findings will be released shortly after the election, followed by a detailed final report that will be presented to ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
According to the statement, the deployment of the mission underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections in the region, especially amid growing concerns over electoral violence and democratic backsliding in parts of West Africa.
The presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire comes at a critical moment for the region, as several West African countries are preparing for major national polls amid efforts to rebuild democratic institutions and strengthen civilian rule.
In recent years, ECOWAS has been forced to respond to a series of political crises in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea, where military coups disrupted democratic governance.
By sending a high-level mission led by a respected figure like Osinbajo, ECOWAS aims to reinforce confidence in its democratic processes and show solidarity with Ivorian institutions.
Observers say Osinbajo’s appointment reflects both his reputation as a statesman and his track record in governance, diplomacy, and mediation during his tenure as Nigeria’s Vice President between 2015 and 2023.
During his time in office, he was widely regarded for promoting peaceful political dialogue and advancing governance reforms across Nigeria.
The West African bloc has long positioned itself as a key actor in promoting electoral integrity and peacebuilding in the sub-region. Its observation missions have become a standard feature of elections in member countries, often providing early warnings against violence and electoral malpractice.
ECOWAS said its decision to send an observation mission to Côte d’Ivoire aligns with its broader efforts to ensure that electoral processes remain inclusive, transparent, and consistent with democratic norms.
It added that the success of the upcoming Ivorian election would be vital to regional peace and economic stability, given Côte d’Ivoire’s position as one of West Africa’s largest economies and a key ECOWAS member.
The statement concluded that the organisation “remains committed to supporting member states in conducting free, fair, and credible elections that strengthen public confidence in democracy
Côte d’Ivoire has made steady political progress since emerging from its post-election crisis in 2011, which followed a disputed vote that led to widespread violence. The country has since conducted two relatively peaceful presidential elections, though tensions remain over political succession and inclusiveness.
The 2025 election is expected to be a major test of the country’s democratic maturity and institutional stability, as key political actors prepare to compete in a charged but hopeful atmosphere.
With Osinbajo’s appointment, ECOWAS appears determined to help ensure that the process is not only peaceful but also credible and reflective of the people’s will.
