By Our Reporter
PRAIA (CONVERSEER) – A pre-electoral fact-finding team from the Economic Community of West African States has commenced consultations in Cabo Verde as part of preparations for the country’s 2026 legislative and presidential elections.
The mission, led by Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, began engagements on March 3 with a briefing at the bloc’s Permanent Representation hosted by Kelly Lopes, followed by talks with Foreign Minister Jorge do Livramento to review the institutional framework and assess national readiness for the electoral cycle.
Legislative elections are set for May 17, 2026, while the presidential vote is scheduled for November 15, with a potential runoff on November 29 if no candidate secures an outright majority.
The delegation also visited the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre – Zone G, where discussions with Coordinator Captain Abdoulaye Dieng focused on the broader governance and security climate surrounding the polls.
In the coming days, the ECOWAS team will hold further consultations with electoral management bodies, political parties, civil society groups, regulatory institutions and international partners as part of a comprehensive assessment of the pre-election environment.
The initiative aims to reinforce dialogue, build public confidence and support the organization of peaceful and credible elections in line with ECOWAS’ Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
