The Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Guinea, Mr Abdoulie Janneh, has commenced a series of high-level consultations ahead of the country’s presidential election, underscoring the regional bloc’s commitment to a credible and transparent process.
Mr Janneh arrived in Conakry and formally began engagements with key electoral stakeholders on December 28. As part of his early activities, he met with the heads of election observer missions from the African Union (AU), the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), and the Mano River Union (MRU), in a move aimed at strengthening coordination among international partners.
The ECOWAS mission chief also held talks with the Secretary General of Guinea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Guineans Abroad, who represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Morissanda Kouyaté.
Speaking after the meetings, Mr Janneh said ECOWAS was in Guinea to support a peaceful and inclusive electoral process. “Our presence reflects ECOWAS’ strong commitment to accompanying Guinea toward elections that are transparent, credible and accepted by all stakeholders,” he said.
He added that collaboration among observer missions would enhance effectiveness on the ground. “By working closely with our partners from the AU, OIF and MRU, we aim to ensure a harmonised approach to election observation in Guinea,” Mr Janneh noted.
As part of courtesy visits, Mr Janneh and the other heads of mission paid visits to the First President of the Supreme Court, Mr Fodé Bangoura, and later to the Prime Minister, H.E. Amadou Oury Bah. The meetings focused on the legal and institutional framework guiding the presidential election and the government’s preparedness to ensure security and respect for democratic norms.
Prime Minister Bah welcomed the observer missions and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a peaceful vote. “The Guinean authorities remain determined to guarantee an environment that allows citizens to freely express their democratic choice,” he said.
The ECOWAS EOM is expected to continue engagements with political actors, civil society groups and electoral authorities in the coming days as Guinea moves closer to the presidential poll.
