The Chairperson of the African Union Commission has deployed Nigerian expert, Adetayo Adekunle, to join an international election observation mission in the Republic of Guinea, where he will work alongside senior diplomats, including former Burundi President His Excellency Domitien Ndayizeye._
The AU’s Election Observation Mission, tasked with monitoring the forthcoming presidential election in the West African nation, received a boost with the arrival of Mr Adekunle, a former Nigerian Youth MP, seasoned political scientist, public intellectual, researcher and analyst from Oyo State, Nigeria.
The 49‑member team, comprising experts from across the continent, will assess the transparency, fairness and credibility of the electoral process.
In a chat with our correspondent upon landing in Conakry, Mr Adekunle expressed his gratitude: *“I am humbled to be part of the African Union delegation to this critical election. The people of Guinea deserve a peaceful, inclusive election, and we are committed to supporting that goal.”*
Led by former Burundi President Domitien Ndayizeye (who was also Vice-President at some point), the mission includes diplomats, electoral experts, and civil‑society representatives. Their mandate covers observing voter registration, campaign activities, voting procedures, and the announcement of results, with a focus on adherence to continental and international standards.
Mr. Adekunle, who holds a master’s degree in International Relations, had previously served as a delegate to the African Union’s 12th High-level Dialogue on Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
The AU’s deployment underscores the continent’s commitment to fostering democratic governance and stability in West Africa. The mission’s report will be presented after the election.
