Guinea Decides 2025, ECOWAS Leads Regional Election Observation in a Historic Presidential Polls By Raymond Enoch
Guinea entered a vdecisive democratic moment on Sunday, December 28, 2025, as approximately 6.7 million registered voters trooped to polling stations nationwide to elect a new President of the Republic, marking a critical step toward the restoration of constitutional order after years of political transition.
From the early hours of the morning, polling units across Conakry opened amid visible regional and international attention, with the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM) deploying senior officials to witness the commencement of voting and assess the conduct of the polls. The Mission, led by Dr. Abdoulie Janneh, Head of the ECOWAS EOM, visited several polling stations and electoral offices in Kaloum, Dixinn, and Boulbinet, observing voting procedures and the overall atmosphere at the start of operations.
The high-level delegation featured the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, alongside the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea, H.E. Louis Blaise Aka Brou, H.E. John Akel Ballout Jr., Liberian Ambassador to Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Hon. Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. of the ECOWAS Parliament, and the Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division, Mr. Serigne Mamadou Ka, among other senior officials.
In parallel, a second ECOWAS delegation, led by Senator Lawan Gana Guba, Deputy Head of the Mission, toured polling stations in Gbéssia and Kaloum. Accompanied by Mr. Abdou Kolley, Director of Cabinet at the Office of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Olawale Emmanuel Awe, Ambassador of Nigeria to ECOWAS, and Ms. Marie Saine of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, the team engaged voters and election officials to gauge public confidence and operational readiness at the grassroots.
Speaking to journalists after the visits, Dr. Janneh underscored the significance of the presidential election, describing it as a “crucial milestone in Guinea’s journey back to democratic and constitutional governance.” He expressed optimism that the voting process would be conducted under peaceful and transparent conditions, reflecting the will of the Guinean people.
The election-day observations followed intensive pre-election engagements by the ECOWAS Mission. Recall that on Friday, December 26, the delegation held high-level consultations in Conakry with key national stakeholders, including a working visit to Mr. Dansa Kourouma, President of the National Transitional Council (CNT). During the meeting, Mr. Kourouma highlighted the CNT’s role as a stabilizing legislative institution during the transition, emphasizing its inclusive composition across ethnic and gender lines.
Dr. Janneh commended the CNT for its “impressive work” in sustaining legislative balance and supporting the transition framework at a critical juncture in Guinea’s political history.
The ECOWAS Mission also engaged Guinean Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), who expressed confidence in the technical preparedness of the Director General of Elections (DGE) ahead of the polls. However, CSOs raised concerns over recent restrictions on internet access, warning that such limitations could undermine transparency, civic engagement, and effective communication during the electoral process.
As Guinea concludes voting ECOWAS has continued to reaffirm its commitment to credible, transparent, and peaceful elections, in line with regional protocols on democracy and good governance.
The Mission continues to monitor developments closely, signaling regional solidarity with the Guinean people as they chart a new political course through the ballot.
