2023 Election: ECOWAS to Deploy Observation Missions in Nigeria



The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has promised technical assistance towards the Nigeria’s general election as well the deployment of short and long-term observation missions.

The decision was made at the Extra-Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in the margins of the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the Chairmanship of Umar Sissico Embalo, President of the Republicof Guinea-Bissau and Chair of ECOWAS Authority.

The Extraordinary Summit was convened to examine the progress made with the transitions in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, as well as the level of preparations for elections in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

The Summit also deliberated on the update on the establishment of a Regional Force against Terrorism and for the restoration of constitutional order, and a briefing on the outcome of the EU-ECOWAS Political Dialogue that took place in Brussels, from 6th to 7th February, 2023.

On  Nigeria, the Authority commended the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the efforts deployed so far aimed at securing a secure environment for the peaceful conduct of the general elections. 

The Heads of State and Government instructed the President of the Commission to provide the necessary technical assistance in support of the general elections through the deployment of short and long-term observation missions.

Also far reaching decisions were taken on the transitions in Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, elections in Sierra Leone and Liberia s they rejected the lifting of sanctions imposed following the military coups in those countries. 

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

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