Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has arrived in Cotonou to begin high-level stakeholder engagements as Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, ahead of Benin’s presidential election scheduled for Sunday, April 12, 2026.
The mission, operating under the ECOWAS framework, is aimed at supporting a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process that reflects the will of the people.
Leading a multidisciplinary delegation, Akufo-Addo is overseeing the deployment of 20 long-term observers, 80 short-term observers, and 25 young professionals who will be stationed across various parts of Benin to monitor the polls.
The observation exercise is guided by the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which mandates observers to assess key elements of the electoral process, including the technical conduct of voting, the neutrality of state institutions, and the overall political environment.
According to ECOWAS, the mission’s presence is expected to enhance democratic governance, stability, and credibility in the electoral process within the region.
Akufo-Addo has pledged to work closely with authorities in Benin to ensure the election is conducted in line with democratic principles and strengthens public confidence in the outcome.
