The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, concludes today a mission to Nigeria aimed at supporting peaceful, inclusive, and credible general elections. During the mission, he also met the President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS), reaffirming the longstanding partnership between the United Nations and the regional organization. The Special Representative met the Director General of the National Boundary Commission of Nigeria as well.
On 3 November, the Special Representative met the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. General Birame Diop, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He congratulated him on his appointment and assured him of the continued support of UNOWAS. The discussions focused on the political and security situation in the region, including the challenges posed by terrorism and violent extremism, and on ways of strengthening cooperation between the two institutions in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and regional integration.
Throughout the week, the Special Representative held consultations with a broad range of national stakeholders to encourage dialogue, restraint, and an inclusive electoral process. He met the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inspector General of Police, the National Human Rights Commission, the Head of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, the Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), and the leaders of political parties and presidential candidates. He also met civil society organizations, the Interreligious Council, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Peace and Reconciliation (OSPRE).
He commended the efforts of Nigerian institutions to organize credible elections. He called on all political actors to uphold the peace accord commitments, to resolve disputes through established legal channels, and to refrain from hate speech and incitement to violence. He underlined the importance of the security of voters and electoral personnel, respect for human rights, and the full and equal participation of women, young people, and persons with disabilities.
“Nigeria’s stability is vital for the entire region. The United Nations stands ready to support Nigerian efforts, in close partnership with ECOWAS and all stakeholders, so that these elections strengthen democracy, social cohesion and peace,” said the Special Representative.
The Special Representative also met representatives of the diplomatic community to exchange views on regional developments, with a special focus of Nigeria preparedness for the January elections.
With the Director General of the National Boundary Commission of Nigeria, Adamu Adaji, the Special Representative exchanged views on the progress of the border demarcation between Nigeria and Cameroon.
The Special Representative also held meetings with the United Nations Country Team and members of the diplomatic community in Abuja, with whom he discussed the coordination of international support for the electoral process.
UNOWAS will continue to work with national, regional, and international partners in support of peaceful elections.