Japan donates to ECOWAS polls monitors

THE Government of Japan Tuesday disclosed plans to donate $30,436 to the election observation mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Nigeria.

   A press statement sent to The Guardian by Ms. Mariko Chiba of the ECOWAS section at the Embassy of Japan in Abuja stated that the amount is to fund the 12-member Long Term Election Observation Mission of ECOWAS, which comprises of an election specialist, political legal specialist, conflict prevention specialist, media specialist, operation specialist and mission coordinator.

   The embassy noted that since 2000, the government of Japan has contributed a total of $5.8 million to ECOWAS regional projects. “It is expected that this contribution by the Government of Japan to the ECOWAS will ensure peace and security in Nigeria and further strengthen its vital role in regional integration,” the statement read.

   It would be recalled that ECOWAS recently commenced the deployment of 250 election observers to Nigeria, 12 of whom will be on the Long Term Observation Mission. The ECOWAS MIssion is led by former Ghanaian President, John Kufor, who last October led a fact finding mission to Nigeria.