Liberia: Dr. Sawyer Leads ECOWAS Delegation for Bissau Elections 21 APRIL 2014 Bissau — The Chairman of the Governance Commission, Prof. Amos C. Sawyer led an ECOWAS observer mission to the legislative and presidential elections in Guinea Bissau which took place on Sunday, April 13, 2014. Prof. Sawyer was invited on the invitation of the President of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) to lead a group of 220 observers from around West Africa. The former Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea, H.E. Kabine Komara is the Deputy Chief of Mission supporting Prof. Sawyer on the Mission. Ahead of the Mission, Dr. Sawyer and key officials of ECOWAS including Ghanaian President John Mahama and the President of ECOWAS, His Excellency Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo, met with the 220 observers and thanked them for accepting the call to serve their fellow West Africans at a time most needed. President John Mahama also expressed gratitude to Prof. Sawyer and Mr. Komara for accepting ECOWAS invitation to lead such a delicate process. As part of the mission, Prof. Sawyer, his deputy Chief of Mission, and officials of ECOWAS met with the Interim President of Guinea Bissau, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo, political and military leaders, government officials, the President of the National Elections Commission and members of the Supreme Court in separate meetings informing them of ECOWAS role in the electoral process. During the meetings, Prof. Sawyer expressed ECOWAS solidarity and support for the transition to democracy and good governance in Guinea Bissau. In a special meeting with political parties and presidential candidates on the eve of the elections, Prof. Sawyer admonished the parties to work for peace and be prepared to accept the outcomes of the elections, which will be a reflection of the will of the people. He informed the political leaders that ECOWAS is committed to ensuring that the elections are credible and that the transition to democracy in the country moves on smoothly. He cautioned the political leaders that only the people of Guinea Bissau can restore democracy and development to their country, and that ECOWAS and other international organizations can only facilitate their own national efforts. On the day of the elections (April 13, 2014), Prof. Sawyer and the President of ECOWAS jointly observed voting and counting in several polling stations in the city of Bissau. On Monday (14 April 2014), Prof. Sawyer is expected to deliver to the people of Bissau and the international community the preliminary findings of the 220 ECOWAS observers deployed throughout the country.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 09:15:17 +0000
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