Abidjan, July 22, 2025 – Ahead of the October 2025 presidential election, the Ivorian government officially launched the “Youth Volunteers for Peace” project on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan-Treichville. On this occasion, 6,500 young people were appointed as ambassadors of peace, in the presence of the President of the National Assembly, Adama Bictogo, and Minister of State Anne Désirée Ouloto.

Initiated jointly by the Ministers in charge of Youth and National Cohesion, this project is part of the peace culture dynamic in Côte d’Ivoire, aiming to lay the foundations for a prosperous and united nation, with the goal of encouraging political actors to adopt a calm and peaceful discourse ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

Representing the Prime Minister, Anne Désirée Ouloto, Minister of State and Minister of Public Service and Administrative Modernization, praised the commitment of these young volunteers for peace. “You are accepting a huge responsibility in an electoral context often marked by tensions. Your role will be crucial,” she affirmed, before urging them to be “exemplary,” as the nation stands behind them to ensure the success of this mission.

“Know that the nation has placed its trust in you. To succeed in this mission, you must demonstrate exemplary behavior and be role models. Your commitment to promoting the values of peace and democracy will help consolidate social peace,” reiterated Myss Belmonde Dogo, Minister of National Cohesion, Solidarity, and the Fight Against Poverty, adding that this project, which aims to build a cohesive nation through active and aware citizenship, will be deployed across 17 regions of the country.

Acknowledging the valuable cooperation of the prefectural corps, Mamadou Touré, Minister of Youth Promotion, Professional Integration, and Civic Service, emphasized that these young people, coming from various political parties and civil society, possess the necessary leadership to contribute to the consolidation of peace.

These youth volunteers for peace will receive training in key areas such as citizenship education, civics, crisis prevention and management, as well as awareness-raising against hate speech, radicalization, and violent extremism. They will be deployed in their respective communities with the mission to “spread the values of citizenship, solidarity, coexistence, and social cohesion.”

It should be noted that this project is inspired by a successful pilot experience carried out in the Cavally region in western Côte d’Ivoire, a historically sensitive area due to its conflict history, ethnic diversity, and border location.