Ambassador Yongawo Joins International Observers for Russia’s 2026 Elections
Moscow, September 21 2026 — His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Russian Federation, participated as an international election observer during the Russian Federation’s three-day electoral process held from 18–20 September 2026.
Ambassador Yongawo was among more than 1,100 international observers from 133 countries accredited to observe the elections, according to Ella Pamfilova, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.
His participation placed Sierra Leone among the international community of observers invited to follow the electoral process first-hand, including through visits to polling stations, briefings at the Central Election Commission, observation of the election Situation Room and interactions with voters and election officials.
Ambassador Yongawo, who also serves as Deputy Dean of the Group of African Heads of Mission in the Russian Federation, has emerged as an active participant in Moscow’s diplomatic community since assuming his post. His diplomatic engagements have focused on strengthening Sierra Leone–Russia relations, particularly in education, investment, mining, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, technology, and parliamentary cooperation.
The Ambassador’s participation in the international observation program also provided an opportunity to strengthen further diplomatic and institutional engagement with counterparts from different regions of the world.
The international observation program brought together senior election officials, diplomats and representatives from Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Africa.
Africa was represented not only by observers from individual African countries, but also through the African Union. Among the AU representatives were Marine Siaba Kakasi, Head of the Democracy and Elections Unit, Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Ambassador Calixte Aristide Mbari, Head of the Division of Democracy, Elections, Constitutionalism, Rule of Law and Transitional Justice.
Over the three days, international observers participated in a program that included visits to polling centers, institutional briefings at the Central Election Commission and the Situation Room, as well as direct interaction with voters and election officials.
Ambassador Yongawo’s participation underscores the breadth of Sierra Leone’s diplomatic engagement in the Russian Federation and its contribution to international exchanges on electoral processes, democratic institutions, and
parliamentary affairs.
For More Inquiries:
Festus J. Lahai
Information Attaché
Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Moscow, Russian Federation
Email:
Website: www.slembassyrussia.org
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