PRESS RELEASE – Cotonou, Benin, 25 March, 2026
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has deployed a Long-Term Election Observation Mission (LTOEM) ahead of the presidential election scheduled for 12 April 2026 in Benin.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr Omar Alieu TOURAY, has authorised the deployment of the LTEOM in accordance with the provisions of ECOWAS instruments. This legal framework comprises the Revised Treaty of 1993, the 1999 Mechanism for the Prevention, Conflict Management and Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security, the 2001 Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and Article 53(c) of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework adopted in 2008.
Fifteen (15) experts from ECOWAS member states will be in the country from 22 March to 18 April 2026. During this period, they will be deployed across all regions of Benin. These experts possess a broad range of expertise in fields such as constitutional law, political affairs, diplomacy, the media, electoral operations, conflict prevention, gender and inclusion, and security matters.
Observers of the long-term mission will monitor all key stages of the electoral process before, during and after the vote. Their analyses will serve as early warning and rapid-response mechanisms to help prevent and manage any conflict linked to the elections. The observers will provide real-time analysis, make concrete recommendations and help foster a climate of transparency and trust conducive to high voter turnout.
To ensure effective coordination of the LTEOM in the run-up to the deployment of the Short-Term Election Observation Mission, which will comprise around 100 observers, ECOWAS will establish a situation room to monitor developments at the national level and issue daily updates for the attention of the ECOWAS Commission authorities.
Through the deployment of the LTEOM, ECOWAS reaffirms its commitment to supporting Benin in organising a credible, transparent and peaceful presidential election, as well as its ongoing determination to promote democracy, good governance, peace and stability in the region.
It should be noted that, pursuant to the provisions of the ECOWAS Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, in particular Articles 12 to 14 concerning support for Member States holding elections, the Chairperson of the Commission deployed a pre-election fact-finding mission to Benin from 7 to 17 January 2026. This mission met with political stakeholders, including government representatives, political party coalitions, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENA) and several civil society actors, and submitted a final mission report to the ECOWAS Commission.
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For further information about the mission, please contact:
Mr Serigne Mamadou Ka, Head of Electoral Assistance and Technical Team
ska@ecowas.int or +234 808 888 2132
Mr Luther Barou, In charge of Electoral Operations
lbarou@ecowas.int or +234 909 483 3333
