ECOWAS, AU Joint Mission Calls on Speaker Chambers -Expected to Hold Working Sessions for 2023 Elections

MONROVIA: A Joint Pre-election Fact-finding Mission from ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) delegation yesterday, Monday, July 24, 2023 paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr. Bhofal Chambers at his Capitol Building Office. The mission is in the country to assess the state of preparedness for the October 10, 2023 presidential and legislative elections.

According to ECOWAS Representative to Liberia, Madam Josephine Nkrumah, the delegation is being co-led by Prof. Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission (INEC) for ECOWAS, and Ambassador Calixte Mbari, Head of Democracy, Elections and Constitutionalism of the AU Commission.

Other members of the delegation include Ambassador Haja Alari Cole, a Member of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise; Ms. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana; Mr. Elyse Oueddraogo, and Chairman of the Independent National Commission of Burkina Faso.

The rest are Muhammad Sulaiman Isa, Deputy Ambassador of Nigeria to ECOWAS; Dr. Cyriaque Agnekethom, ECOWAS Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, as well as a joint-technical team from ECOWAS and AU Commissions.

The Mission is expected to hold working sessions with various stakeholders in elections, including the Liberian Government, National Elections Commission, Judiciary, Legislature, Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations, Security Agencies, and International Development Partners.

Speaker Chambers, while welcoming them to his office said he was excited for the visit and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Country, especially in the context of the upcoming October presidential elections in Liberia.

Speaker Chamber further said the issue of promoting gender equality in the upcoming elections is an essential aspect of ensuring democratic representation and inclusivity, noting that it indicates the commitment of the Legislature to addressing gender disparities and empowering women’s participation in the political process.