Creating a Safer Election Environment in Côte d’Ivoire

In the past three decades, Côte d'Ivoire has faced a wide variety of identity-based tensions that have led to election-related violence. During the Presidential election period in 2020, over 50 people were killed, and many more were injured and arrested. This cycle of violence around elections has long been an issue in Cote d'Ivoire, and it stands in the way of free and fair polls in the country, as often voters don't feel safe going to vote, and elections officials are mistreated and killed. Seeing this pervasive trend, NDI partnered with the Ministry for National Cohesion, Solidarity, and Combating Poverty, a ministry that seeks to address ethnic and regional grievances and promote peace in Côte d'Ivoire and that has oversight over social workers around the country. Together, NDI and the Ministry have developed an approach whereby, by working with local counselors, we create community and interethnic dialogue to address underlying issues and trauma without leading to violence. This has led to remarkable results in several towns, resulting in a safer election environment and resolving long-standing community conflicts and trauma.

From Grief to Grace

In Daoukro, a small town in Côte d'Ivoire, Koffi's life was turned upside down by the brutal loss of his only son during the post-election crisis of 2020. The violence in Daoukro, like in many parts of the country, was marked by clashes between different ethnic groups, particularly the Baoulé (Koffi's ethnic group) and the Dioula. These tensions were inflamed by long-standing political rivalries, with each group supporting opposing political factions. During one of these violent confrontations, Koffi's son was tragically killed by individuals from the Dioula community, which fueled Koffi's intense desire for revenge against the entire ethnic group he held responsible for his loss. His journey from the depths of grief and anger to a place of forgiveness and peace was facilitated by counseling sessions as part of NDI's innovative approach to building social cohesion and preventing recurrent violence. NDI's ongoing USAID-funded Community Resilience through Dialogue and Art (CORDIAL) program operates in phases, beginning with individual counseling sessions led by local social workers trained for this initiative in approaches designed by psychologists and community healing experts. These sessions are designed to help participants like Koffi confront and process their trauma in a safe and structured environment, with the ultimate goal of helping communities move past political violence and avoid it in the future.

"The exchanges with the social workers helped me regain a taste for life, and by listening to other victims, I realized that I wasn't the only one going through traumatic situations," Koffi explains. This realization was a turning point, helping him to understand that his suffering was shared, even by those he had once considered enemies. Koffi's transformation has extended beyond his personal well-being to his role in the community. He has become a pivotal figure in his community, joining an association of about 20 others from varying ethnic backgrounds who have similarly experienced election violence-related trauma and participated in NDI's program. In a gesture of reconciliation and commitment to rebuilding peace in his wider community, Koffi donated a parcel of land to the group for income-generating farming activities, which will help fund their peace-building initiatives.

Abel's Forgiveness and Resilience Journey

In Gagnoa, another town in Côte d'Ivoire, the story of Abel is a powerful testament to the healing power of forgiveness. During the 2010 political unrest, which erupted after disputed presidential election results, Côte d'Ivoire was thrown into chaos as violent clashes broke out between rival political factions, often aligned along ethnic lines. Gagnoa, a key battleground in this conflict, saw widespread violence as different groups vied for control. Abel, a resident of Gagnoa, was kidnapped and abused, an experience that left deep emotional scars. However, his participation in the program's trauma care sessions, specifically those focusing on forgiveness and resilience, has had a transformational role in his life.

During a public event at the prefecture where the Minister of Solidarity was distributing donations, Abel unexpectedly encountered one of his former abusers. Rather than reacting with anger or fear, Abel chose a different path-he approached the man and greeted him. The surprised perpetrator was taken aback by Abel's unexpected kindness. Quietly, Abel made it clear that he had forgiven him.

The next day, the man invited Abel to his home for lunch, introducing him to his brothers. This moment marked the beginning of a deep and enduring friendship between their families. Through the program's inter-community dialogue on forgiveness and resilience, Abel not only healed his wounds but also bridged a gap that once seemed insurmountable.

Art Therapy Helps Communities Heal from Political Conflict

In the aftermath of the violent inter-communal and election-related conflicts in Cote d'Ivoire, communities are left broken, and their trust is shattered by years of unrest. Amidst the lingering tense atmosphere, a new path for healing has brought hope - through the power of art in bridging divides and mending the social fabric. NDI's program taps into the transformative potentials of art, creating a platform where mutual understanding is nurtured and trauma is addressed across diverse groups that are still grappling with the aftermath of conflict.

Among the many artists contributing to these efforts is Clémence, an artist from Gagnoa whom NDI trained in art therapy techniques so that she could lead a group of community members from varying ethnic backgrounds in creating a work that could help them heal from their own trauma and bring other community members together to learn and heal. Like groups in six other cities, the community group - led by Clémence and another "lead artist" - used creative expression as a means to explore shared experiences, confront personal and collective traumas, and build trust within communities.

Her group, and those in the six other cities where the program runs, have painted murals, put on plays, and created and performed original songs and dances that help participants and their audiences to express their emotions, share their stories, and connect with one another on a deeper level. The creative process has allowed participants to move beyond their differences and see each other as members of a shared community.

Through her work with the art groups, Clémence witnessed the powerful impact that art can have on a community. Despite coming from diverse backgrounds, the "community artists" in Gagnoa have formed a tight-knit group that extends beyond the rehearsal sessions. They support each other through personal challenges and celebrate successes together, creating a new "family" that transcends traditional boundaries. Participants in the program reported a greater willingness to engage in dialogue with those from different ethnic backgrounds, and many expressed that the creative process had helped them process their own traumas in ways that traditional approaches had not. Moreover, the art initiatives sparked similar activities in nearby towns, inspiring a ripple effect of community-driven reconciliation efforts. Through the power of art, the program helped to break down long-standing barriers, allowing individuals to see one another not as enemies but as fellow community members striving for peace and understanding.

Together, the stories of Koffi, Abel and Clémence show the powerful impact of the Ministry for Social Cohesion and NDI's peace-building activities. By recognizing and addressing the trauma caused by past election violence and interethnic conflict, communities and individuals can move past their scarred past and look at a more democratic Côte d'Ivoire. While Côte d'Ivoire faces ongoing challenges in ensuring a safe and stable election environment for all its citizens, significant strides are being made towards reconciliation and peacebuilding. The work of communities and individuals to address past grievances and foster dialogue is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and secure future. As Côte d'Ivoire continues this journey, these collective efforts offer hope that, together, the country can overcome its divisions and build a foundation for lasting peace and stability.

Author: Natan Chaka, Temporary Project Assistant for the Central and West Africa team

NDI's engagement with this program is implemented with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

This story is a part of NDI's ongoing series covering the peace-building efforts we are undertaking in Côte d'Ivoire and their transformative effects. You can read other stories about our and our partner's efforts below:

Peace committee calms tensions in Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire Peace Committee Prevents Community Violence

Preventing Violence Around Local Elections in Cote d'Ivoire

Religious leaders meet to prevent violent extremism in Côte d'Ivoire

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NDI is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization that works in partnership around the world to strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms and values to secure a better quality of life for all. NDI envisions a world where democracy and freedom prevail, with dignity for all.

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