ECOWAS observer mission briefs ECOWAS Ambassadors in Senegal

SENEGAL – Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observer Mission currently in Senegal on a fact finding mission with regards February 2012 Presidential election has summoned, briefed and held discussions with ECOWAS Ambassadors accredited to Senegal. (Photo: Sierra Leone’s Ambassador H.E. Khadijatu Bassir)

The Observer Mission led by the former Prime Minister of Togo H.E. Komlan mally, included the Legal Affairs Director of ECOWAS, Mr. Lalipo and the Director of Political Affairs Mr. Kulibaly.

Speaking, to the Ambassadors from Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Cape Verde, Bukina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Guinea and Mali at the office of GIABA (Inter- Governmental Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa), Dr. Abdullahi Shehu said, apart from the fact finding they were in Senegal to also talk to the Actors involved with the election and further discuss the pros and cons of the February 26^th Presidential election with them as ECOWAS Ambassadors and listen to their views regarding the situation in the country.

Joining her counterparts in expressing their views with regards the next month Presidential election, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador H.E. Khadijatu Bassir said Sierra Leone as a post conflict country, is very much concerned and wishes that the necessary modalities be put in place to ensure a violent free, fair and peaceful election. “Senegal is known as a beacon of democracy in West Africa and Africa in general, and whatever the outcome of the election, violence should be avoided” she noted.

Giaba Boss and HE Amb. K Bassir

Ambassador Bassir added that whatever affects Senegal negatively, will no doubt spill over in the sub-region and that a lot rests on ECOWAS to ensure that the government, Actors and the citizenry as a whole, take the necessary measures to prevent any such ugly situation.

All Ambassadors expressed similar concerns over the situation and hoped that Senegal will remain the peaceful country, it is known to be.

The Director General of GIABA, Dr. Abdullahi Shehu stressed on the need to maintain peace and advance the course of democracy not only in Senegal and the region but even beyond.

The Mission requested of the ECOWAS Ambassadors to talk with the Actors to maintain the desired peace, which is referred as the ‘corner stone for democracy and development’.

The Observer Mission will report back to the ECOWAS Secretariat.

Ralph Ese’Donnu Sawyerr, Information Attaché, Embassy of The Republic of Sierra Leone, Senegal and The Gambia.

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