Former President Danny Faure to Lead Commonwealth Observer Group to Gabon Election
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Former President of the Republic of Seychelles, Danny Faure, has been appointed to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group to Gabon’s upcoming presidential election, scheduled for April 12, 2025. The composition of the observer mission was announced on April 3 by Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, following an invitation from the government of Gabon.
As chairperson, President Faure will be accompanied by a team of seven eminent Commonwealth experts from various fields, including electoral management, politics, law, human rights, and the media. The full team comprises Lisa LaFlamme (Media expert, Canada), Francine Baron (Former Foreign Minister, Dominica), and other specialists from across the Commonwealth. The Secretary-General said: ‘The importance of promoting democracy is vital. Likewise, it’s critical that elections are held in an atmosphere of transparency and accountability.’
The Commonwealth Observer Group was to arrive in Gabon yesterday and depart on April 18, having assessed the conduct of the election against the standards to which Gabon has committed itself, including its domestic law and relevant regional treaties, as well as Commonwealth and other international standards. All observers will act impartially and independently and are bound by the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation.
