UK statement ahead of the 31 October 2020 presidential elections in C么te d鈥橧voire
Minister for Africa James Duddridge gave a statement ahead of the Presidential Elections in C么te d鈥橧voire on 31 October 2020.
Minister for Africa, James Duddridge said:
As C么te d鈥橧voire goes to the polls on Saturday 31 October, we urge all parties to ensure that the presidential elections are conducted in a peaceful and credible manner. The UK is a friend of C么te d鈥橧voire. C么te d鈥橧voire emerged from conflict in 2011, and is now contributing to peace and stability in the West Africa region. We want to support C么te d鈥橧voire to maintain these hard-won gains, protect democracy, and promote good governance.
We are concerned by the violence and loss of life in C么te d鈥橧voire in the run up to elections this year. Further violence in recent weeks has exacerbated these concerns. We urge the Ivoirian authorities to ensure that all deaths and election-related violent incidents are properly investigated.
We call on all parties to reduce tension, call for calm amongst their supporters, and refrain from violence. Doing so will allow the people of C么te d鈥橧voire who wish to do so to express themselves and their choice at the ballot box.
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