STATEMENT BY THE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR WEST AFRICA AND THE SAHEL

12 Dec 2018

STATEMENT BY THE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR WEST AFRICA AND THE SAHEL

 

ON THE SIGNING OF THE 2019 NATIONAL PEACE ACCORD BY ALL POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA

 

Dakar, 11 December 2018- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, welcomes the holding today in Abuja, Nigeria, of the Conference of all Political Parties and the signing of the 2019 National Peace Accord ahead of Nigeria general elections, scheduled for February and March 2019.

“The signing of the National Peace Accord by all candidates for the presidential election demonstrates their commitment to hold peaceful, fair and credible elections which will consolidate democracy and rule of law in Nigeria,” said Mohamed Ibn Chambas.

The Special Representative commends the National Peace Committee (NPC) and all actors involved in this effort and calls on them to uphold their commitment to ensure an environment conducive to free, fair, and credible elections, including by refraining from violence. He encourages all political stakeholders to redouble their efforts to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms, which are essential to a credible electoral process.

“The Peace Accord represents a significant step towards peacefully and orderly managed elections, consistent with the democratic principles enshrined in Nigeria's Constitution,” said the Special Representative. “Africa and, in particular the ECOWAS sub-region can not afford election-related crisis in Nigeria”, he emphasized.

The Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel encourages all Nigerians to continue to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and to fully exercise their civic responsibility by going to the polls to vote in large numbers.