AFRICA/CÔTE D'IVOIRE - “He who loses must accept defeat and work for a responsible opposition”: appeal by religious leaders

Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - “In the name of God, on behalf of Côte d'Ivoire, on behalf of future generations, dear leaders, make the effort, you and your supporters to respect the verdict of the polls.” This was the appeal launched by the “Collectif des Religieux pour des Elections apaisées en Côte d'Ivoire”, in a statement sent to Fides.

While the Côte d'Ivoire watches the progressive publication of the results of the presidential ballot of Sunday, 28 November, there is increasing concern about tensions between supporters of the two candidates: incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and opposition leader Alassane Ouattara.

On the day of the elections there were some clashes causing deaths and injuries (see Fides 29/11/2010). In a message from the religious leaders they complain that it has escalated “from verbal abuse to physical violence and the worst seems to be ahead of us.” For this reason, the message encourages young people “not to indulge in acts of violence, and to leave this land can only create a vicious circle.”

Addressing the two candidates, religious leaders urge the winner and the loser to work together for the good of the nation: “In this dynamic, the winner must offer a hand to the loser to accept defeat with humility and honesty to work together to build the Country in responsible opposition.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2010)