Background
The PAWA General Assembly on Saturday 12th July, 2025 constituted a new Election Committee to conduct the 2025 elections for PAWA. The members of the PAWA Election Committee are as follows:
- Professor Cherno Omar Barry (Gambia) – Chairman
- Ms Lucille Mudenda (Zambia) – Member
- Mr Goima Peter Mwamwingila (Tanzania) – Member
- Ms Salma El Nour (Sudan) – Member
- Mr Ernest Oppong (Ghana) – Technical Adviser
Prof Barry stepped down as Chairman and member of the PAWA Election Committee and transferred the chairmanship to Mr Goima Peter Mwamwingila.
Election Arrangements
The election timetable and procedures for voting by the PAWA Delegates were shared with PAWA Members. On 13th July, 2025, a call for nomination of candidates was made for the following positions:
- President
- Secretary General
-
Vice Presidents (Regional Representatives for:
- Western Africa
- Eastern Africa
- Central Africa
- Northern Africa
- Southern Africa
- Diaspora
The General Assembly resolved that the Deputy Secretary General position should be suspended until a time when PAWA is financially strong to pay salaries of staff and other administrative expenses.
Election Results
After the closing of the nominations, the following were the eligible candidates:
| Name | Position | Status |
| Prof Bill Ndi (Cameroon/Diaspora) | President | Contestable for voting |
| Madam Imela Oyono Ayingono (Equatorial Guinea) | President | Contestable for voting |
| Mr Ashraf Aboul Yazid (Egypt) | Vice President (Northern Africa) | Unopposed |
| Mr Carlos Paradona (Mozambique) | Vice President (Southern Africa) | Unopposed |
| Prof Cherno Omar Barry (The Gambia) | Vice President (West Africa) | Unopposed |
| Prof Egara Kabaji (Kenya) | Vice President (East Africa) | Unopposed |
| Ms Reyna Lineres Jones (Diaspora) | Vice President (Diaspora) | Unopposed |
| Mr Eric Joel Bekale (Gabon) | Vice President (Central) | Unopposed |
| Dr Wale Okediran | Secretary General | Unopposed |
For all the positions (other than President which has two candidates) there is only one eligible candidate. These nominations are unopposed. Therefore, the Election Committee declares the unopposed nominated candidates as duly elected for each of the positions nominated for.
Results for Presidential Candidates
Election was organised for the two (2) Presidential candidates and voting ended on 18th July, 2025, 4 PM GMT.
A total of 42 votes were cast. Out of the 42 votes cast, 37 votes were valid while 5 of them were invalid due to overvoting by 4 of the Delegates (Voters). 3 of the invalid votes went to Madam Imela Oyono Ayingono whereas the remaining 2 went to Prof Ndi. The total number of Delegates was 46 and the total number of valid votes cast was 37.
Prof Bill Ndi had 23 valid votes representing 62.16% while Madam Imela Oyono Ayingono secured 14 valid votes occupying 37.84%. Based on these results, Prof Bill Ndi has exceeded the constitutional provision of 50% + 1 votes. Therefore, as the Chairman of the PAWA Election Committee, I declare Prof Bill Ndi duly elected as the President of PAWA for the next three years.
New PAWA Council Members
Dear PAWA Members, as the Chairman of the Election Committee, I present to you the newly elected Council Members of PAWA to serve PAWA for the next three years.
| Name | Position |
| Prof Bill Ndi (Cameroon/Diaspora) | President |
| Mr Ashraf Aboul Yazid (Egypt) | Vice President (Northern Africa) |
| Mr Carlos Paradona (Mozambique) | Vice President (Southern Africa) |
| Prof Cherno Omar Barry (The Gambia) | Vice President (West Africa)
|
| Prof Egara Kabaji (Kenya) | Vice President (East Africa) |
| Ms Reyna Lineres Jones (Diaspora) | Vice President (Diaspora) |
| Mr Eric Joel Bekale (Gabon) | Vice President (Central) |
| Dr Wale Okediran | Secretary General |
Conclusion
I express my appreciation to the Election Committee Members who worked tirelessly wit me to organise a successful election within this short election period. We also express our appreciation to the General Assembly of PAWA for choosing and giving us the opportunity to serve. Thank you.
Mr Goima Peter Mwamwingila
Chairman
Election Committee
PAWA
This is the report in a press release form:
In a demonstration of democratic commitment and pan-African literary unity, the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) has concluded its 2025 General Assembly elections, guided by a newly constituted Election Committee. Formed on July 12, 2025, the committee originally chaired by Professor Cherno Omar Barry of The Gambia, saw a seamless transition of leadership to Mr. Goima Peter Mwamwingila of Tanzania. Alongside members Ms. Lucille Mudenda (Zambia), Ms. Salma El Nour (Sudan), and Mr. Ernest Oppong (Ghana) as Technical Adviser, the committee embarked on the crucial task of steering the elections in a spirit of clarity, fairness, and inclusiveness.
Following an official call for nominations on July 13, PAWA sought candidates for its presidency, secretary generalship, and six vice presidencies representing key regions of Africa and the diaspora. It was also decided by the General Assembly that the position of Deputy Secretary General would be suspended until the financial stability of the organization could sustain it. The nomination process closed with a clear outcome: all posts except the presidency were uncontested, resulting in automatic elections of several notable figures — among them Mr. Ashraf Aboul Yazid (Egypt) as Vice President for Northern Africa, Prof. Egara Kabaji (Kenya) for Eastern Africa, Prof. Cherno Omar Barry (The Gambia) for Western Africa, Mr. Carlos Paradona (Mozambique) for Southern Africa, Mr. Eric Joel Bekale (Gabon) for Central Africa, Ms. Reyna Lineres Jones (Diaspora), and Dr. Wale Okediran as Secretary General.
The presidency, however, unfolded as a spirited yet respectful contest between Prof. Bill Ndi (Cameroon/Diaspora) and Madam Imela Oyono Ayingono (Equatorial Guinea). After the virtual ballot closed on July 18 at 4 PM GMT, 42 votes were cast by PAWA delegates. Of these, 5 were disqualified due to irregularities, resulting in 37 valid votes. Prof. Bill Ndi secured a commanding victory with 23 votes (62.16%), surpassing the constitutional threshold of 50% +1, and was duly declared President for the next three-year term.
This new leadership, now officially at the helm, marks a diverse and dynamic literary council poised to navigate PAWA through the evolving cultural, linguistic, and socio-political landscapes of African literature. In his closing statement, Mr. Mwamwingila extended heartfelt thanks to his fellow committee members and the General Assembly for entrusting them with this honorable responsibility. As PAWA enters a new chapter of its journey, the literary world watches with anticipation, inspired by the organization’s unwavering dedication to dialogue, creativity, and continental cohesion.
