Observers training: from left to right Elvire Houenassou, USAID/Benin, Kevin Armstrong, USAID Director, Alassane Idrissou, Government of Benin representative, Urbain Amégbéji, National Secretary of Centre Afrika Obota.
|
On Monday, February 14, in Cotonou, the Centre Afrika Obota (CAO) presented its training modules for election observers.
With support from USAID, CAO will deploy 300 observers during the Benin presidential and legislative elections to be held in March and April 2011 respectively.
In his opening remarks, Urbain Amégbéji, General Secretary of the CAO, praised USAID for its support of election observers which, in his opinion, “guaranties the autonomy of civil society against political interference”.
Kevin Armstrong, USAID Director, also spoke to congratulate the government of Benin, civil society, and the National Election Committee (CENA) for their dedicated efforts to strengthen democracy in Benin.
In concluding the opening ceremony, Alassane Idrissou, representing the Benin Ministry of Government Relations, thanked the U.S. Government for its support to free, peaceful, and transparent elections in Benin.
By André Rousel, USAID/Benin with Centre Afrika Obota. |
