From Paul Ejime | Freetown, Sierra Leone |Prof. Amos Sawyer, Head of ECOWAS’ 55-member Observation Mission to Sierra Leone, on Monday in Freetown tasked the regional observers to discharge their duty with the highest sense of responsibility and impartiality given the critical importance of the March 7 polls to peace and democratic consolidation in the country and the region. This was followed by an ECOWAS Pre-electoral Fact-finding Mission in February 2018, complemented by series of training workshops on election-related mediation and dispute resolution, targeting faith-based organisations and community peace actors in the country. In his introductory remarks, Prof. Sawyer congratulated the new ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Gen. Francis Behazin, on his appointment and formally welcomed him to his first observation assignment. He said the general elections would mark a major step toward consolidation of peace and democracy in Sierra Leone, and the larger ECOWAS Community, adding that the Commission had provided financial and other forms of support to ensure the success of the electoral process. The ECOWAS Director of Political Affairs, Dr. Remi Ajibela, and the Head of Electoral Assistance Division Mr Francis Oke, set the tone for the observers’ briefing, by providing them with the historical and political contexts of the Sierra Leone polls, the logistics, security and local contacts.

Source: GNN Liberia March 05, 2018 20:37 UTC