ECOWAS, AU and UNOWAS Deploy Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission to The Gambia Ahead of 2026 Presidential Poll By Raymond Enoch
The ECOWAS Commission has deployed a high-level pre-election fact-finding mission to the Republic of The Gambia as part of efforts to support the country’s preparations for the presidential election scheduled for December 5, 2026.
The mission, which runs from June 14 to 21 in Banjul, is being undertaken in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). It is aimed at assessing the level of preparedness for the forthcoming election and identifying measures that could strengthen confidence among stakeholders and contribute to a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process.
The initiative underscores the importance ECOWAS attaches to preventive diplomacy, democratic governance and constitutional order in the region. It is also expected to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to identify areas requiring support ahead of the polls and foster dialogue among key actors in the electoral process.
Leading the ECOWAS delegation are Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, former Chair of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, and Babatunde Tolu Afolabi, Director of Political Affairs at ECOWAS. The African Union team is headed by Samuel Atuobi, while UNOWAS is represented by Falmata Liman.
During its stay in The Gambia, the mission will review the legal, constitutional and institutional framework guiding the electoral process, assess relations among political actors and state institutions, and identify potential risks and early warning indicators that could affect the conduct of the elections.
The fact-finding exercise forms part of the broader electoral support architecture of ECOWAS, which seeks to promote peaceful, inclusive and credible elections as a cornerstone of democratic governance and regional stability. Findings from the mission will help shape the deployment of an ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EEOM) for the December presidential poll.
The deployment of an EEOM remains a critical component of ECOWAS’ governance and democracy agenda under its regional normative frameworks. Through election observation, the regional bloc aims to strengthen public confidence in electoral processes, encourage adherence to democratic principles and constitutional governance, and support member states in conducting elections that reflect the will of their citizens. The mission therefore reinforces ECOWAS’ commitment to consolidating democracy, peace and political stability across West Africa.
