Brussels, 18/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - At the request of the authorities of Guinea, the European Union started the deployment of an election observation mission to the country at the start of September - ahead of the presidential election on 11 October.
Believing this deadline “crucial for the consolidation of democracy in Guinea”, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said she hoped that “inclusive, transparent and credible elections will contribute to the establishment of strong and legitimate institutions able to meet the many challenges with which Guinea is faced, including the eradication of Ebola”.
This mission, the EU's third in Guinea since 2010, will be led by Frank Engel MEP (EPP, Luxembourg). “We are not coming to interfere in the electoral process but to contribute to strengthening its transparency”, he said.
A core team comprising seven analysts arrived in Guinea on 2 September. Since 10 September, 20 long-term observers have been deployed in the country. A few days before the election, the mission will be strengthened by the arrival of 26 short-term observers, as well as by European members of the diplomatic community working in Guinea. On the day of the election, the mission will be present throughout Guinea with nearly 70 European and Norwegian observers. (Mathieu Bion)