ECOWAS Head of EOM Meets Prime Minister of Guinea, Amadou Oury Bah; Emphasizes Free, Fair and Transparent December 28 Elections. By Raymond Enoch
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its firm commitment to supporting Guinea’s return to constitutional order, as the Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), His Excellency Dr. Abdoulie Janneh, on Wednesday, underscored the centrality of credible elections to democratic governance ahead of the country’s presidential polls scheduled for 28 December 2025.
Speaking during a high-level meeting with Guinea’s Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah, Ambassador Janneh described elections as the cornerstone of democracy and stressed that the forthcoming polls must be free, fair, transparent and peaceful to restore constitutional legitimacy and public confidence in state institutions.
Dr. Janneh, a seasoned Gambian diplomat and former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, led a joint delegation of international observers that included the Deputy Head of Mission, Senator Lawan Gana Guba of Nigeria; Abdou Colley, Chief of Staff to the President of the ECOWAS Commission; and the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Guinea.
The mission is further strengthened by representatives of the African Union (AU), the Mano River Union (MRU) and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF)—reflecting broad international solidarity with Guinea’s democratic transition.
During discussions with Prime Minister Bah, Ambassador Janneh emphasized ECOWAS’s objective of accompanying Guinea throughout the electoral process, not as an external arbiter but as a regional partner committed to stability, democratic norms and the will of the Guinean people. He noted that a credible electoral outcome would mark a decisive step toward sustainable peace and governance in the country.
Prime Minister Bah welcomed the ECOWAS-led delegation and expressed appreciation for the sustained engagement of regional and international partners. He described the December 28 election as a critical milestone in Guinea’s political transition and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating conditions for a peaceful and credible vote.
As part of its broader assessment, the ECOWAS mission also held consultations with the President of the Supreme Court of Guinea, Mr. Foday Bangura, who briefed the delegation on the judiciary’s preparedness for the elections. Justice Bangura announced that the Supreme Court will deploy its own observers nationwide to monitor the voting process, describing the move as a vital mechanism for transparency and the peaceful resolution of potential disputes
Ambassador Janneh, in response, highlighted the pivotal role of the judiciary in safeguarding democracy. “As the final arbiter of election results, the decisions of the Supreme Court are fundamental to the integrity of the democratic process and the ultimate restoration of constitutional order in Guinea,” he said.
Earlier, the delegation visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they were received by the Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Youla, on behalf of Minister Morissanda Kouyaté, who also joined the meeting via telephone. Minister Kouyaté expressed gratitude for ECOWAS’s consistent dialogue and engagement following the military takeover, assuring the delegation that key reforms have been undertaken and that the government is ready to return the country to a constitutional framework.
Ambassador Janneh commended the Ministry for its cooperation, particularly in relation to ECOWAS measures, and reiterated the organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting Guinea before, during and after the elections.
The deployment of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission reflects the regional bloc’s core objectives: to promote democratic governance, transparency, rule of law, and political stability across West Africa. As Guinea approaches the December 28, 2025 presidential election, ECOWAS maintains that a credible process and outcome will not only serve the interests of the Guinean people but also reinforce peace and democratic norms across the sub-region.
