By Lamin B. Darboe
His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, has highlighted the importance of credible, fair and peaceful elections in the region; and the need for collective efforts to ensuring peace and stability in the region.
He made these remarks as he received members of the West African Elders Forum, who are on a pre-election assessment mission to Nigeria, ahead of the country’s general elections in February 2023.
While congratulating the President of the Commission and his management on their appointments, H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who led the delegation of the Elders’ Forum, reminded Dr Touray that they are coming at a time when the region is experiencing some difficulties. He assured him of the support of the Elders’ Forum in bringing democracy, good governance and sustainable peace within the Region.
The West African Elders’ Forum was formed by former West African leaders aimed to serve as a mechanism targeted at preventing and resolving election-related conflicts and maintaining stability in the sub-region by collectively exerting their enormous goodwill towards ensuring peace in West Africa, by promoting credible elections and good governance, to prevent the nations from descending into crises.
President Ernest Bai Koroma was accompanied to the ECOWAS Presidency by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel and for President of the ECOWAS Commission; H.E. Aja Fatoumata C.M. Jallow- Tambajang, former Vice President of The Gambia, Representatives from the UNOWAS Office and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.
