Former Seychelles President Danny Faure to lead Commonwealth Observer Group to Gabon's Presidential Election

As Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), President Faure will be accompanied by a team of 7 eminent Commonwealth experts from various fields, including electoral management, politics, law, human rights, and the media.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, announced the composition of the COG on 3^rd April, following an invitation from the Government of Gabon.

Commenting on the deployment, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said:

"I am grateful to the outgoing Secretary-General Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC for initiating preparations and deploying the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG). The importance of promoting democracy is vital. Likewise, it’s critical that elections are held in an atmosphere of transparency, and accountability.

I extend my sincerest gratitude to President Faure, who is exceptionally well-placed to lead this team, given his understanding of the landscape. His expertise and dedication, combined with the other seven observers in his group, will be critical in assessing the electoral process and supporting the Gabonese people in strengthening their democratic institutions."

The observers will determine whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards to which Gabon has committed itself, through its domestic law and relevant regional treaties, as well as Commonwealth and other international standards.

All observers will act impartially and independently and are bound by the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation, to which the Commonwealth is a signatory.

Observers will be supported by a staff team from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by Linford Andrews, Adviser and Head of the Electoral Support Section.

The COG will arrive in Gabon on 4th April and depart on 18 April.

Members of the Commonwealth Observer Group

Chairperson: HE Danny Faure, former President of Seychelles

Commonwealth Observer Group members, in alphabetical order by country name, are: 

• Ms Lisa LaFlamme, Media expert, Canada
• Ms Francine Baron, Former Foreign Minister, Dominica
• Mr Joshua Opey, Chairperson, Commonwealth Youth Council, Ghana
• Mr Evans Odhiambo Ogada, Advocate & law lecturer, Kenya
• Mrs Gaudence Mushimiyimana, Disability right activist, Rwanda
• MR Mosotho Simon Moepya, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of South Africa
• Amantha Perera - Director – Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma, Asia Pacific, Sri Lanka

Notes to Editors

• The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal sovereign states. Our combined population is 2.7 billion, of which more than 60 per cent is aged 29 or under.
• The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-three of our members are small states, many of which are island nations.
• The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights. Our work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people, and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.
• Member countries are supported by a network of more than 90 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organisations.

Media Contact

Temitope Kalejaiye, Public Relations and Engagement Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat
M: +447436032707
E: [email protected]