Two major countries in West Africa and the Sahel conducted peaceful presidential elections, despite a postponement of the election date in one and some incidents in the other. These countries are Senegal and Nigeria.

Major countries by their geostrategic position, their economic and political vitality, their history, but also and above all, by the determination of both populations to achieve a better future through a responsible, free and peaceful vote.

This quiet force, which also flows through other countries in the sub-region, speaks volumes about political maturity

This quiet force, which also flows through other countries in the sub-region, speaks volumes about political maturity, especially among young people, and about the engagement of all social categories in electoral processes.

Other countries in the sub-region will hold presidential and legislative elections by the end of this year and early next year. They will undoubtedly mark an important step in the consolidation of democracy in Africa. They will also provide an opportunity to initiate new social projects that are likely to meet the expectations of the populations.

But these expectations are so high that elections polarize tensions and produce, in some cases, violence. This shows the importance of everyone’s commitment to elections that respect the laws and constitutions in force. This also highlights the importance of the role of all actors in maintaining social cohesion and peace.

Looking at the mobilization of youth during the presidential elections in Senegal and Nigeria, and their active participation as voters, but also as members of civil society organizations, such as the “Not Too Young to Run” campaign, which aimed to reduce the age limit for running for elections in Nigeria and around the world, we are entitled to expect that African youth will have an increasingly prominent role in the conduct of elections, and ultimately in the consolidation of democracy.

Despite a security context marked by the persistent threat of Boko Haram, the dialogue and peace initiatives held before the presidential elections in Nigeria, for example, demonstrated the determination of national and local authorities and all actors to sensitize voters to ensure that the election takes place in peace and with respect for the other parties.

In Senegal, the country of “teranga“, calls for calm by national authorities, political actors and civil society organisations after some incidents observed during the election campaign, also showed the mobilization of all to ensure a peaceful election.

As the sub-region prepares for another round of presidential elections, it is important to recall that each citizen, each institution must play its full role in ensuring peaceful, free and democratic elections.

The elected candidates will be responsible for implementing their development programs. They will also have an obligation to meet the expectations of their citizens.

The issue #7 of UNOWAS E-Magazine focuses on the question of impunity, access to justice and human rights, subject of a regional conference we organized with our partners as well as on a UNOWAS study on pastoralism and security in West Africa and the Sahel.

This sixth issue of UNOWAS Magazine is a special edition devoted to the regional colloquium on “Challenges and prospects of political reforms in West Africa in 2015-2017,” which was organized by UNOWAS in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, from 26 to 27 March 2018.

Political reforms is an important theme, which concerns all sub-regional countries. The ongoing political reforms in the region made it pertinent for UNOWAS to organize a platform, where various experts could share their analyses and proposals with an aim to assist the governments and all political actors involved in successfully implementing their respective political reform processes.

The objectives of the two-day colloquium were to: identify and analyze the main reasons which led many West African countries to initiate political reforms from 2015 to 2017; highlight mechanisms and processes, which led to the success or failure of political reforms; consider the background history of and changes in the relevant provisions, the main political aspects, similarities and differences between the various countries concerned; and identifying the scope, challenges, and prospects of political reforms in the sub-region.

To achieve its objectives, the Abidjan colloquium was structured around three opening papers and eighteen thematic papers divided into six sections. Opening papers addressed the following themes: “Generation and types of political reforms in West Africa”, “Political reforms and governance”, and “ECOWAS instruments for building peace and promoting democracy and good governance in West Africa.” As for thematic conferences, they addressed two key themes - Theme 1: “Context, mechanisms, and causes of political reforms» and Theme 2: “Content, implementation, and impacts of political reforms”.

After reviewing the reform processes initiated in West Africa in 2015-2017, recommendations were made for more legitimate and more relevant future political reforms in the sub-region. The recommendations included the establishment of a sub-regional platform on political reforms and good governance.

The sub-regional colloquium on «Challenges and prospects of political reforms in West Africa in 2015-2017” was attended by 72 participants, including: representatives of 15 out of 16 West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo); representatives of regional and international organizations (UNOWAS, ECOWAS, IDEA, OSIWA, UNOCA, UNDP); and representatives of civil society organizations, women’s and young people’s groups (Réseau Ouest Africain des jeunes Femmes Leaders-ROAJELF, Fondation Cléopatre d’Afrique, Je m’engage, Muslim Student’s Society of Nigeria).

We are hoping that this special edition will make you “relive the colloquium and its debates” and allow you to understand the ongoing political reform processes, including how best to improve governance in the sub-region.

Free, credible elections, a major tool for consolidating democracy and development in West Africa and the Sahel

For a few years, the West African region and the Sahel have undeniably made huge progress in terms of organization and conduct of electoral processes. Various and important elections have been held in a peaceful context and allowed thousands of citizens to exercise their right to vote and to choose their candidates. The time when the outcomes of the elections were known in advance or imposed by the public authorities is over today! Youths and women want to get further engaged in political life. And the vote is the major instrument they have to change and improve their living conditions.

The time when the outcomes of the elections were known in advance or imposed by the public authorities is over today

The Gambian example reflects on the increasing determination of the populations to own the elections process in order to achieve a political change and bring about a change likely to meet their expectations.

Except few technical problems and minor acts of violence, countries like Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, The Gambia, Benin, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Niger, have all held peaceful elections.

In addition to people’s determination, national and regional institutions are committed to initiating a dynamic for change across the region, with good governance and development being the driving forces.

The countries of the region have made commendable efforts to improve their legal environments, invest in training and civic education, further engage women and youths in political life, and improve logistics and operational tools. At the same time, at the regional level, institutions have put in place several mechanisms and instruments to support their members and help them implement the necessary changes.

Faithful to its mandate to “maintain international peace and security,” the UN has always worked for peace and human rights in the world, in close collaboration with the national stakeholders and regional or international organizations.

In West Africa and the Sahel, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) will continue to play a leading role in promoting good governance and building peace and security.

The organization and conduct of peaceful elections in the region are both a success to promote and a challenge to meet. The elected representatives have the huge responsibility for honoring their commitment and meeting people’s expectations. They have also the challenging task to do better than their predecessors in order to achieve of the political changeover wanted by the peoples of the region.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas
Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel