WADEMOS Network

Depuis son lancement en janvier, l'initiative a organisé trois sessions virtuelles. La première, en janvier, était un événement inaugural, suivie de webinaires mensuels en février et mars. Ces webinaires mensuels visent à encourager une participation politique positive.

The initiative has held three virtual sessions since commencing. The first was a kick-off event in January, followed by monthly webinars in February & March. The monthly webinars seek to inspire positive political participation across the region by young people. #YouthInReform

Benin held its presidential elections on April 12, 2026. In this joint statement, the @WADEMOSnetwork and the West Africa Election Observation Network (WAEON) share their observations of the Benin elections. Read more here: bit.ly/4uiXmXR #SolidarityForDemocracy

Le Bénin a tenu son élection présidentielle le 12 avril 2026. Dans cette déclaration conjointe, le @WADEMOSnetwork et le Réseau ouest-africain d’observation des élections (WAEON) présentent leurs observations sur le scrutin au Bénin. Lisez plus: bit.ly/4uiXmXR

The first virtual session of the Next Gen Youth in Reform Project set us off to a great start with engaging discussions and valuable insights on "Understanding, Mobilizing and Engaging With Youth Stakeholders." We look forward to the next session with excitement. #YouthInReforms

The West Africa Election Observation Network and the @WADEMOSnetwork undertook a joint election observation mission in #Benin. The team visited some polling centers and engaged stakeholders as part of efforts to support credible, and peaceful elections across West Africa.

As Benin goes to the polls today, our latest blog reflects on the state of its democracy. While President Patrice Talon steps down after two terms in line with constitutional limits, concerns remain about the competitiveness of the electoral process and the space for opposition participation. In this piece, Magdalene Naa Momo Mensah examines whether a transition can be considered truly democratic when meaningful political choice is constrained. Read more on here: cddgh.org/2026/04/12/ben… #BeninDecides #Democracy #CDDBlogpost

On this week's episode of '#ChannelAfricaConversations' with @peterndoro, Austin Aigbe of the West African Democracy Solidarity Network (@WADEMOSnetwork ) unpacks the implications of the release of opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira and what it means for the country’s post-coup transition. The episode also features on-the-ground insight from Guinea-based journalist Alberto Dabo. Watch the full conversation on YouTube (Channel Africa 1) or stream it on the SABC Plus app youtu.be/urjcJqP_tNE #GuineaBissau #WestAfrica #ECOWAS #military #Junta

Austin Aigbe (@oaaigbe) of the West African Democracy Solidarity Network (@WADEMOSnetwork) cautions that allowing Guinea-Bissau’s military to oversee the post-coup transition could destabilise the wider region. “ECOWAS must stand on the side of citizens, the same way they stood on the side of the citizens in Benin, they should stand on the side of the citizens in Guinea-Bissau,” he said. Watch the full discussion on the #ChannelAfricaConversations podcast with @peterndoro, or stream on the @SABCPlus app. 🔗youtu.be/urjcJqP_tNE #ChannelAfrica #GuineaBissau #WestAfrica #ECOWAS #military #Junta

EYE ON WEST AFRICA (February 01 - 08 February 2026) - mailchi.mp/b424b808e3f6/e…

The initiative kicked off on January 28, 2026, with over 50 participants and will include virtual trainings, peer learning, and an in-person symposium in Abuja. Read more: bit.ly/4qcCLBT #YouthInReform #NextGenLeaders #WADEMOS #NDI #WestAfrica

We're excited to announce the Next Generation Initiative Youth Engagement in Reform Project, designed with support from @NDI. The Community of Practice brings together young leaders across West Africa to strengthen youth engagement in reform. Read more: bit.ly/4qcCLBT

Dans les coulisses du #WACSW25 Que faut-il pour organiser l'un des plus grands rassemblements de la société civile en Afrique de l'Ouest ? Dans ce blog, Dembo Bojang partage les leçons, les défis et les avancées de cette aventure. Pour en savoir plus : bit.ly/4rtzdvY

📢Call for Applications! Are you aged 18-35, residing in West Africa, with an interest in peace, security and governance? Applications are open for WANEP’s Youth Transformational Empowerment & Mentorship (#YTEaM) Programme, 2026 Cohort. Read more & apply: bit.ly/3Zu5G9E

EYE ON WEST AFRICA IN REVIEW - 2025 - mailchi.mp/b2fb2978e3d4/e…

Following sustained advocacy by CSOs, the Special Mechanism of @ACHPR has transmitted a Joint Letter of Urgent Appeal to H.E. @KagutaMuseveni, President of Uganda, regarding the arbitrary arrest and detention of Dr. @SarahBireete, a pro-democracy, Human Rights activist in Uganda.

[ON AIR] Dr. Sacca Lafia, President of Benin's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENA), has urged political actors, the media, security forces, and citizens to contribute to a peaceful campaign period ahead of the country's upcoming elections. The legislative and municipal polls, set for January 11, will see all 109 seats in the National Assembly contested for a new five-year term. Benin is also scheduled to hold the first round of its presidential election on April 12, 2026, with a potential second round, if needed, on May 10, 2026. For more on this, @peterndoro unpacks with Austin Aigbe, an Advocacy Officer at the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (@WADEMOSnetwork) #RiseAndShine #Benin #WestAfrica

[ICYMI] Benin Electoral Commission Calls for Peaceful Campaign Ahead of Key 2026 Elections. @peterndoro spoke to Austin Aigbe, an Advocacy Officer at the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (@WADEMOSnetwork). [WATCH] youtu.be/G4uQdOgpuTM #RiseAndShine #Benin #WestAfrica

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” Nelson Mandela, South African civil rights activist #FreeSarahBireete

RFLD Benin Office is back... Like RFLD colleagues in Ghana, we resumed office today. In 2026, we are implementing integrated interventions at individual, organizational, and policy levels. From data points to policy change to lives saved: When grassroots advocates walk into parliament, they bring RFLD data. When mayors allocate health budgets, they cite RFLD statistics. When lawyers challenge discriminatory laws, they reference RFLD research. RFLD has received NGOsource Equivalency Determination. This certifies us as the legal equivalent of a U.S. public charity, allowing U.S. foundations to make direct, tax-deductible grants with minimal administrative burden. We train, fund, and protect women leaders who drive systemic change. From midwives becoming mayors to grassroots defenders shaping laws, we are building power that lasts across African countries. Explore RFLGD.ORG