ECOWAS, UN urge peace ahead of Guinea-Bissau poll
A high-level political mission from the Economic Community of West African States and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel wrapped up its visit to Guinea-Bissau on Saturday, urging all stakeholders and citizens “to remain calm and uphold peace and tranquility in the country.”
This followed a week-long engagement aimed at “supporting efforts by political actors and other stakeholders to reach a political consensus on a roadmap for the conduct of inclusive and peaceful elections in 2025.”
This was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Mission, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, on Sunday.
In the statement, the mission deployed at the directive of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, was in Guinea-Bissau from February 21 to February 28, to help political actors and other national stakeholders reach a consensus on a roadmap for the upcoming 2025 legislative and presidential elections.
The delegation was received in audience by Guinea-Bissau’s President, Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
During their stay, the mission held extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including government officials, political leaders, election management bodies, civil society groups, and international partners.
The discussions focused on the challenges and concerns related to the election process, with the mission commending the parties’ commitment to political dialogue and efforts to create a broad consensus.
As part of their visit, “the mission prepared a draft agreement on the roadmap for the conduct of Legislative and Presidential elections in 2025 and started presenting it to the stakeholders for their consent.”
Despite these efforts, the mission’s visit ended abruptly after President Embaló threatened to expel the team on the morning of March 1.
The ECOWAS-UNOWAS mission left Bissau following the threat, but plans to submit a report to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, detailing its findings and proposals on how to ensure the elections proceed in an inclusive and peaceful manner.
