AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Religious leaders in Yamoussoukro call for calm after post-election unrest

Thursday, 5 November 2020 violence   elections   dialogue  

Yamoussoukro (Agenzia Fides) - “Lately our city of Yamoussoukro has had dark and sad hours that have compromised social cohesion. In the name of God, the father of all mercy, I invite you brothers and sisters to welcome the word of God which tells us that as children of God we are called peacemakers”, said Fr. Hervé Djessou, Vicar General of the diocese of Yamoussoukro yesterday, November 4, in his speech to the population of the political capital of the Ivory Coast following the recent demonstrations in the city after the presidential elections on 31 October.
Given the current situation, representatives of all religions turn to the population and invite them to remain calm, end disputes and avoid any interreligious or communal confrontation in order to preserve peace, social cohesion and the security of all.
In turn, the Muslim community of Yamoussoukro has urged the entire population, especially young people, to remain vigilant in the face of voices that fuel tension.
“We urge the entire population of Yamoussoukro to remain calm”, says a statement by the Superior Council of Imams of Yamoussoukro, and not to respond to provocations. Because religion calls us to practice harmonious coexistence and social cohesion and to promote peace. We ask the young people of Yamoussoukro to beware of rumors that are circulating about socio-political developments. We must all remain vigilant and tolerant”.
The day after the presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire, incidents occurred in Abidjan, the Ivorian economic capital, which resulted in deaths and enormous material damage. Four people died on Sunday in Toumodi, about forty kilometers from Yamoussoukro, the day after the presidential election, during the riots in Ivory Coast that set the family home on fire (S.S.) (Agenzia Fides, 5/11/2020)


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