The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed former Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo to head its Election Observation Mission to Benin ahead of the country’s April 12, 2026, presidential election.
The appointment, communicated by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray, underscores the bloc’s continued reliance on seasoned political figures to navigate an increasingly delicate electoral climate across West Africa.
Former President Akufo-Addo is expected to lead the mission’s deployment from April 7 to April 15, in line with the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001), the legal framework that guides election monitoring within the sub-region.
The move comes at a time when democratic processes in parts of West Africa are under heightened scrutiny, placing greater responsibility on election observers to safeguard credibility, transparency, and public trust.
In a statement, ECOWAS reaffirmed its confidence in the electoral process in Benin, while calling on political actors and stakeholders to uphold peace, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law.
The bloc added that Mr Akufo-Addo’s selection reflects its preference for experienced and high-profile leaders to support member states in delivering what it describes as “peaceful, transparent and credible” elections.
