ECOWAS engages media professionals and CSOS to counter misinformation and disinformation ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s October 2025 Presidential election

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, through its Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has convened a five-day engagement with media professionals and civil society organisations (CSOs) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The initiative, currently taking place from 29th September to 3rd October 2025 at the Seen Hotel, Plateau, aims to strengthen efforts to counter misinformation, disinformation, and inciting speech ahead of the country’s presidential election scheduled for 25th October 2025.

The engagement is part of ECOWAS’s ongoing support to the people of Côte d’Ivoire in their determination to consolidate democratic gains as the country prepares for a crucial poll. It seeks to build the capacity of media practitioners to uphold professionalism and ethical standards during the electoral period, while also discouraging the misuse of media and CSO platforms to spread hate speech, fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and other harmful content within and beyond the electoral cycle.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Ebenezer Ofosu Asiedu, Head of Democracy and Good Governance, on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, urged media practitioners and CSOs to conduct their activities in ways that support a peaceful and credible electoral process, as Côte d’Ivoire consolidates its democratic achievements. He also stressed the importance of adopting innovative strategies, drawing from global best practices, to effectively navigate the challenges of covering the upcoming elections.

The engagement brings together representatives of major media organisations, including newspapers, television, radio, and digital platforms, alongside leading CSOs such as the Centre de Recherche Politique d’Abidjan (CRPA), WANEP-CI, INDIGO, Réseau Action, Justice et Paix (RAJP), and the Convention de la Société Civile Ivoirienne (CSCI), among others. It reflects ECOWAS’s continued commitment to supporting credible elections, strengthening democratic governance, and promoting peace and stability in Côte d’Ivoire and across the West African region.