Joint Mission of the African Union, ECOWAS and the United Nations to Cotonou, Benin

1 March 2011: A joint delegation of the African Union (AU), Economic Community of West of African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations, including the Commissioner for Peace and Security of the AU, Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Victor Gbeho, and the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for West Africa, Ambassador Said Djinnit, will travel to Cotonou, on 3 March 2011, in an expression of support of their respective institutions to the preparation of the 6 March 2011 presidential and legislative elections in the Republic of Benin.It is expected that during its stay, the delegation would meet with the competent authorities of Benin and inquire about the status of preparations for the elections of 6 March 2011. The delegation will also take this opportunity to reiterate to the people of Benin and the Beninese stakeholders the appreciation of the AU, ECOWAS and the UN for having rooted democracy in their country and to encourage them to persevere in their efforts.