AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Catholic journalists are committed to contributing to the peaceful conduct of the upcoming elections

Friday, 23 August 2019 journalism   elections  

Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - "Electoral processes in Africa: role and responsibility of the media in preserving social peace". This is the theme of the third edition of the "Update program" promoted by AIJCCA, the Ivorian Association of Catholic journalists and communicators in collaboration with UCAP, the African Catholic Press Union, Burkina Faso section, which took place from 8 to 16 August in the economic capital of the Ivory Coast, Abidjan.
The "update program" is intended as a forum for the exchange of experiences, training, but also to help revive the national UCAPs. For this edition, about 100 journalists from Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Senegal, Niger, Mali and of course Ivory Coast gathered at the Padre Pio Center of the Capuchin Friars Minor of Cocody.
At the end of this meeting last Thursday, August 15th, in the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption of Koumassi Prodomo, in the diocese of Grand-Bassam, recommendations for peaceful elections were formulated in the various African Countries where voting became occasions for conflict and war.
In the final resolutions of the work, rulers were asked to work in justice for peaceful elections and the media to be impartial. It was reiterated that journalists are not allowed to take a position on an electoral dispute, but have a duty to provide the necessary information for the voter to be able to vote in an informed manner. Catholic journalists also asked civil society to do its part so that together they can effectively accompany politicians to peaceful elections in their respective Countries.
In 2020, presidential and political elections will take place in Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast, while in Senegal elections will take place in 2021. (S.S.) (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 23/8/2019)


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