The International Criminal Court (ICC), prosecutor Ms. Fatou Bensouda, has warned that the violence experienced in Côte d'Ivoire during the first pre- and post-election crisis of 2010 must not be repeated.

In a statement on Wednesday, the ICC prosecutor expressed concern with the upsurge of serious violence over the past several days in cities of Côte d'Ivoire in the run-up to the presidential election scheduled for 31 October 2020.

Bensouda called on all political actors and their supporters to exercise calm and restraint, warning that the violence on all political sides is not an option.

She added that any person who commits, orders, incites, encourages, or otherwise contributes to the commission of crimes under the Rome Statute is liable to prosecution in the courts of Côte d'Ivoire or before the ICC.

Cote D’Ivore holds a tense election on October 31, which the incumbent Alassane Ouattarra is contesting for a re-election.