Akufo-Addo arrives in Cotonou to lead ECOWAS mission to observe Benin presidential election

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has arrived in Cotonou to kick off high-level stakeholder engagements as the Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, ahead of Benin’s presidential election scheduled for Sunday, April 12, 2026.

His mission, operating under the ECOWAS framework, aims to promote a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process that reflects the will of the people.

Leading a diverse delegation, former President Akufo-Addo is overseeing the deployment of 20 long-term, 80 short-term observers, and 25 young professionals stationed across various regions of Benin to monitor the election.

The mission is guided by the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which requires observers to evaluate critical aspects of the election, including the technical conduct of voting, neutrality of state institutions, and the political environment.

An ECOWAS update indicates that the mission’s presence is expected to help promote democratic governance, stability, and credibility throughout the electoral process in the region.

Akufo-Addo has assured close collaboration with Benin’s authorities to ensure the election upholds democratic principles and boosts public confidence in the results.