Jonathan Leads West Africa Elders Mission to Senegal Polls

• Former President Goodluck Jonathan will lead the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) mediation mission to Senegal ahead of its presidential election
• The mission aims to observe the electoral process, meet with key stakeholders, and promote peace during Senegal’s 2024 election procedures

Former President Goodluck Jonathan will lead the mediation mission of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to Senegal ahead of the country’s presidential election on March 24, 2024.

In his capacity as the Chairperson of WAEF, Jonathan will be joined by other prominent African leaders, including Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former Under-Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel and former president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). They will be accompanied by staff from the WAEF secretariat to observe the electoral process in Senegal.

Wealth Dickson Ominabo, the Communications Officer for the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, announced in a statement on Thursday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, that the mission members departed from Abuja on Thursday for Dakar and will be present from March 21 to March 27, 2024.

The team’s agenda includes meetings with key stakeholders such as outgoing President Macky Sall, opposition leaders, civil society representatives, security authorities, and officials from the country’s electoral commission.

Ms. Ann Iyonu, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Executive Director and head of the WAEF secretariat, emphasized that WAEF serves as a platform for mediation, advisory, and conflict resolution roles aimed at minimizing election-related conflicts in the West African sub-region. She highlighted that the forum comprises former Presidents and statesmen who volunteer their leadership experience and wisdom to promote peace and progress in the sub-region.

During their stay in Dakar, the mission members will closely monitor the electoral process and engage with political leaders and stakeholders in Senegal until the 2024 election procedures conclude, ensuring a peaceful and successful outcome.

WAEF has played similar roles during elections in The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, demonstrating its commitment to fostering democratic stability and progress in the region.