The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Ambassador Baba Kamara, as Head of Mission for its Election Observation Mission to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for 23rd November 2025.
Ambassador Kamara said the deployment of the election observers was in line with ECOWAS’ strong determination and commitment to accompany the people of Guinea-Bissau on the path to good governance, national progress and development
ECOWAS in conveying its decision to dispatch an 80-member observation team to Guinea-Bissau from 19th to 26th November 2025, noted that the mission consists of experts drawn from foreign ministries, electoral commissions, ECOWAS Ambassadors, the Council of the Wise, ECOWAS Court of Justice, civil society organisations, media practitioners, and other electoral specialists across the sub-region.
The appointment of Ambassador Kamara recognizes his extensive diplomatic and security expertise, spanning more than four decades of public service to Ghana and West Africa.
As a former National Security Advisor, he served in several high-level roles, including Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria (with concurrent accreditation to Cameroon, Chad, and São Tomé & Príncipe) and Ghana’s Permanent Representative to the ECOWAS Commission from 2009–2012.
He also served as Senior Presidential Advisor before assuming the role of National Security Advisor between 2013 and 2017.
Currently, Ambassador Kamara holds the position of Special Envoy for Counterterrorism for ECOWAS, a role to which he was appointed in July 2023 by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, in recognition of his depth of experience in regional security and diplomacy.
During an audience with Ambassador Kamara and his team at the State House on Friday, 21st November, President Embalo, who is seeking re-election for a second term, promised to respect the outcome of the polls.
Geraldo Martins, a representative of candidate Dias, who is supported by a faction of the Party for Social Renewal, PRS, made a similar commitment during a separate meeting with the ECOWAS Observation Mission, with the Head of Mission appealing for peaceful and orderly elections.
Ambassador Kamara said the deployment of the election observers was in line with ECOWAS’ strong determination and commitment to accompany the people of Guinea-Bissau on the path to good governance, national progress and development
It is the first time that the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, PAIGC, which fought for Guinea-Bissau’s independence in 1973, will not field candidates in the country’s elections.
Ambassador Kamara’s leadership is expected to strengthen ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting credible, transparent, and peaceful elections in Guinea-Bissau as part of its broader mandate to uphold democracy and good governance in the region.
