EXPERIENCE-SHARING WORKSHOP WITH SECURITY FORCES TO ENHANCE ELECTION SECURITY MANAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY IN BENIN

The Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PAPS) of the ECOWAS Commission, in partnership with the Police Républicaine du Benin and the Office of the Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in Benin, conducted a 3-day Strategic Experience-Sharing Workshop with Security Forces on Election Security Management. Conducted from 9–11 March 2026, at the Azalai Hotel in Cotonou, Benin, this workshop is a critical component of ECOWAS’ structural conflict prevention framework.

The Experience-Sharing Workshop serves as a strategic intervention to strengthen and complement the existing operational frameworks of the Police Républicaine du Bénin. As the country approaches its historic presidential election, the initiative focuses on enhancing electoral security management during the critical build-up phase and the election period itself.

By facilitating a high-level exchange of best practices between Beninese officers and regional counterparts, the workshop aims to reinforce the role of security forces in the management of national elections and enhance participatory democracy. The Workshop was attended by superior strategic and operational officers from the Benin Police Republicaine, led by the Inspecteur general de Police de 2em Classe Brice ALLOWANOU, Directeur général de la police républicaine, Bénin.

The Workshop was declared opened by the Minister of Interior and Public Security, represented by Contrôleur général major de police Éric Kossi AGOSSOUNON, Secrétaire général du Ministère de l’Intérieur et de la sécurité publique, while the Welcome Statement was delivered by Ambassador Amidou Diongue, Resident Representative of the of ECOWAS Commission in Benin, represented by Mr Ebenezer Asiedu, Head of Democracy and Good Governance, ECOWAS Commission.

This Experience-Sharing Workshop is part of ECOWAS’ strategic support to engage critical stakeholders in Benin towards conducting a peaceful and violent-free electoral process. The Experience-Sharing Engagement was facilitated by Mrs. Aissatou Ndiaye, Commissaire de Police

Divisionnaire and a Deputy Director of Public Security, National Police of Senegal, Commissaire Principal de Police Thio N’Klobi Richard, Head of the National Police Operations Centre, National Police of Côte d’Ivoire and Mrs. Victoria Yamoah, Assistant Commissioner of Police, who also doubles as the Director of Election Security Secretariat of the Ghana Police Service, as resource persons.

The Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PAPS) is facilitating a series of back-to-back activities targeting different stakeholders including Media practitioners, Civil Society organizations to enhance the role of these stakeholders in deepening participatory, credible and peaceful democratic processes in Benin.