Spotlighting an upsurge in popular discontent in the region, manifested through often violent demonstrations calling for political and economic reforms, he said several countries of the region also continue to struggle with justice, national reconciliation and human rights challenges.

In that regard, he urged member states to provide an enabling environment for the exercise of freedoms of expression and assembly, which are critical to the consolidation of democracy and good governance, and noted that, in a positive development, Benin and Burkina Faso recently abolished the death penalty.

The region has continued on a positive trajectory since his last briefing, with local elections in Guinea, local and municipal elections in the Gambia, and presidential, legislative and local elections in Sierra Leone.

Noting that the continuing political crisis in Togo has already caused the suspension of parliamentary elections, he outlined ECOWAS mediation efforts to overcome the political impasse, warning that "democratic gains in the region are not immune to reversal."?

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