JALLOW-TAMBAJANG ARRIVES IN CABO VERDE AS ECOWAS STEPS UP ELECTORAL DIPLOMACY By Elizabeth Weje

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has intensified its electoral engagement in Cabo Verde ahead of the country’s November 15 presidential election, with the arrival of the Head of its Election Observation Mission, H.E. Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang, former Vice-President of The Gambia.

Jallow-Tambajang arrived in Praia on November 10, 2026, to lead the regional bloc’s electoral observation efforts, reinforcing ECOWAS’ commitment to credible, peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections as essential foundations for democratic governance and constitutional stability in West Africa.

Speaking to journalists shortly after her arrival, the former Gambian Vice-President said the mission was in the country to support an electoral process that meets democratic expectations and reflects the will of the people.

“We are here to help them conduct the election and to live up to the expectations, which are peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections,” she stated.

Emphasising the importance of geographical inclusiveness in the observation exercise, Jallow-Tambajang said ECOWAS was determined to ensure that the voices of citizens across the country’s islands were heard.

“We want to hear every voice from every part of the country,” she added.

Her arrival marks a significant phase in ECOWAS’ electoral accompaniment strategy, particularly as the organisation seeks to strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions through independent observation, stakeholder engagement and preventive diplomacy.

The Head of Mission joins 20 long-term observers who have been deployed across the islands since November 3, ahead of the arrival of approximately 60 short-term observers expected to reinforce the mission during the immediate electoral period.

The deployment reflects a structured observation arrangement designed to provide broader geographical coverage, assess electoral preparedness and monitor the conduct of the presidential election across the archipelago.

The mission also follows coordination meetings held by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Hon. Francess Piagie Alghali, with the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Cabo Verde, H.E. Ambassador João Ribeiro Butiam Co, as part of efforts to strengthen institutional coordination ahead of the polls.

Beyond the immediate electoral exercise, the deployment underscores the implementation of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, adopted in December 2001, which establishes free, fair and transparent elections as fundamental constitutional principles for member states.

Articles 12 to 16 of the Protocol provide for ECOWAS electoral assistance, observation missions, consultations with relevant stakeholders and the preparation of reports containing observations and recommendations for improving future elections. GhaLII +1

The exercise also advances Pillar 2 of the ECOWAS Vision 2050, which focuses on Governance and Rule of Law, with the strategic objective of anchoring democratic culture, good governance, respect for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.

It further complements Pillar 1 on Peace, Security and Stability, given the importance of credible elections in preventing political tensions, strengthening institutional legitimacy and sustaining regional peace. ECOWAS +1

As Cabo Verde prepares to elect its next president on November 15, the ECOWAS mission will be closely watching how the electoral process measures up against democratic standards, while encouraging political stakeholders and citizens to sustain an atmosphere of peace, tolerance and respect for the democratic process.

For ECOWAS, the ultimate objective extends beyond witnessing the casting and counting of ballots. It is about strengthening democratic institutions, protecting popular sovereignty and ensuring that electoral competition remains a vehicle for peaceful political transition rather than a source of instability.