IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1150 
Urging the Government of Coˆte d’Ivoire, opposition leaders, and all citizens 
to respect democratic principles, refrain from violence, and hold free, 
fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in October 2020. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 
Mr. PHILLIPS (for himself, Ms. BASS, and Mr. YOHO) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Urging the Government of Coˆte d’Ivoire, opposition leaders, 
and all citizens to respect democratic principles, refrain 
from violence, and hold free, fair, transparent, and peace-
ful elections in October 2020. 
Whereas it is in the interest of the United States to maintain 
a strong relationship with a democratic, peaceful, stable, 
and economically prosperous Coˆte d’Ivoire whose leaders 
prioritize good governance, the rule of law, and respect 
for human rights; 
Whereas the United States and Coˆte d’Ivoire have a strong 
bilateral relationship with important cooperation on eco-
nomic interests, regional stability, and counterterrorism 
priorities, and efforts to advance health and development 
objectives; 
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Whereas Coˆte d’Ivoire has a presidential election scheduled 
for October 31, 2020; 
Whereas previous transitions of power have been marred by 
conflict and violence against civilians, including most re-
cently in 2010–2011, when 3,000 civilians were killed 
during an election-related dispute; 
Whereas the root causes of past political violence—including 
religious and ethnoregional tensions, contestation over 
land, politicization of the judiciary and concerns over due 
process, and a lack of professionalism, adequate training, 
and civilian control over the security forces—have not 
been adequately addressed; 
Whereas political leaders have previously manipulated and ex-
ploited religious, ethnic, and regional identities and eco-
nomic grievances to incite violence including through inci-
dents of hateful and divisive speech occurring both in 
person and online; 
Whereas President Ouattara’s decision to stand for a third 
term, despite a two-term limit in the constitution, has 
heightened tensions, and several citizens have been killed 
and dozens more injured or arrested amid protests 
against his candidacy; 
Whereas political violence in Coˆte d’Ivoire could threaten the 
region’s stability and economic development prospects, 
and undermine efforts to counter violent extremism and 
terrorist activity; 
Whereas the Government of Coˆte d’Ivoire must protect the 
health and safety of its citizens and prevent the spread 
of COVID–19 while also ensuring credible elections and 
enabling the participation of all voters; 
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Whereas the Government of the United States is deeply com-
mitted to efforts to prevent conflict and atrocities and ad-
dress the root causes of fragility, as evidenced by the en-
actment of the Global Fragility Act of 2019 and the Elie 
Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018; 
and 
Whereas the United States Embassy in Coˆte d’Ivoire issued 
a statement on August 25, 2020, ‘‘supporting free, trans-
parent, and inclusive elections in Coˆte d’Ivoire’’ and urg-
ing ‘‘all parties, groups and individuals to refrain from 
violence and hateful/divisive speech and to choose dia-
logue to find peaceful solutions to their disagreements’’: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) reaffirms that the United States will con-
tinue to stand with the people of Coˆte d’Ivoire in 
support of peace, democracy, religious and ethnic 
tolerance, and stability; 
(2) calls upon the Government of Coˆte d’Ivoire 
and all political parties to— 
(A) protect all civilians from violence and 
support their right to peacefully demonstrate; 
(B) condemn all forms of hate speech and 
incitement of violence while maintaining citi-
zens’ open access to information; 
(C) publicly commit to free, fair, peaceful, 
and transparent elections and make clear that 
all Ivorians, including security forces, govern-
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ment officials, political opposition members, and 
the media, will be held accountable for inciting 
or perpetrating violence; 
(D) support an independent investigation 
into the killings of civilians during demonstra-
tions; 
(E) support efforts to implement public 
health protocols to prevent further spread of 
COVID–19 and ensure safe participation of all 
voters on election day; and 
(F) request the electoral observation serv-
ices of the African Union or the Economic 
Community of West African States, and grant 
full access to election observers; 
(3) encourages civil society organizations, local 
communities, and religious leaders to— 
(A) remain united in calls for peace, non-
violence, tolerance, and democracy; and 
(B) work to educate voters about the elec-
toral process in order to combat disinformation 
and violence; and 
(4) calls upon the United States Government 
and international partners to— 
(A) continue to condemn violence against 
peaceful demonstrators and hate speech that 
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promotes such actions, including posts on social 
media, and urge all political parties to publicly 
commit to free, fair, peaceful, and transparent 
elections; 
(B) continue to support election prepara-
tion efforts, including through assistance to the 
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), ca-
pacity building for civil society and local lead-
ers, voter education programs, development of 
election day protocols, violence prevention pro-
grams, support for election observation, and 
human rights and atrocities prevention moni-
toring; and 
(C) call for and support an independent in-
vestigation into the killings of civilians during 
demonstrations. 
Æ 
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