(Bloomberg) -- Ivory Coast has raised the alarm over a wave of child murders that may be connected to presidential elections later this year. At least 25 children were kidnapped and murdered last year in what appear to be ritual killings, Sandrine Kraidy, director of child protection at the Family, Women and Children Ministry, said in a phone interview on Thursday. Most victims were between age 5 and 10, and all were found with severed limbs or heads, or missing organs, she said.
“We’ve noticed an increase in missing children as we’re heading toward the election,” Kraidy said. Some people in Ivory Coast think that human body parts can be used to create wealth or political influence, she said. “We thought perhaps that it was something that was disappearing, but ritual crimes are still occurring. It’s worrying.”
Ivory Coast’s presidential election is scheduled in October. President Alassane Ouattara has said he will seek a second term in office.
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