Friday, March 28, 2014

President Mahama elected ECOWAS Chairman

President John Dramani Mahama has been elected Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to replace President Alassane Dramane Ouatarra of Cote d'Ivoire.

The position was being sought by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Yaya Jammeh of The Gambia.

Presidnet Mahama was elected at the 44th Ordinary Summit of ECOWAS in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Cote d'Ivoire.

The election was scheduled to take place Saturday March 29th 2014.  The early results indicate that consensus around Mahama has been building earlier than observers thought.  In short, it was a "no contest" elections probably even before the delegations reached Yamoussoukro.  In these parts, we say it was a "done deal" even before they arrived at the Cnnference Center.

As compared to previous elections, the election of President Mahama as Chairman of ECOWAS was one of the least contentious in a long while.  This may be good for ECOWAS and the region.  But to contender Yaya Jammeh, this is one more rejection in a string of rejections from an organization that he's the doyen, as the longest serving leader who has never held the Chairmanship.

DEVELOPING: More to come.