Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has been appointed to lead the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) for the upcoming General Elections in South Africa.
This marks Kenyatta’s second such appointment within a year, having previously led the AU observer mission during the Nigerian elections.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, announced the decision to deploy an AUEOM to South Africa in preparation for the elections scheduled for May 29, 2024.
“The Republic of South Africa is scheduled to hold General Elections on 29 May 2024. As the country makes final preparations towards this end, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, will deploy an African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to South Africa,” read AU statement in part.
AU on Uhuru Kenyatta New Role
The AUEOM will comprise 60 short-term observers, including three Core Team electoral experts, who will be tasked with observing the elections from May 21 to June 3, 2024.
According to African Union statement, the primary objectives of the AUEOM are to provide impartial reporting and assessment of the quality of the elections, ensuring that the conduct of the elections meets regional, continental, and international standards for democratic elections.
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“The objectives of the AUEOM are to provide impartial reporting or assessment of the quality of the 29 May General Elections in South Africa, including the degree to which the conduct of the elections meets regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections,” said AU.
Mission of AU Africa Election Observers
Additionally, the mission aims to offer recommendations for the improvement of future elections based on its findings and to demonstrate the AU’s solidarity and support towards South Africa’s elections and democratization process.
“Offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on the findings; and demonstrate the AU’s solidarity and support towards South Africa’s elections and democratization process to ensure that the conduct of democratic, credible and peaceful elections contributes to the consolidation of democratic governance, peace and stability in the country,” AU added.
Further, the mandate of the AUEOM draws from various AU instruments, including the African Union Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions (2002), the OUA/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002), the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (1981), and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance (2007).
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It also aligns with Aspiration 3 of the AU Agenda 2063, which aims to ensure good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law.
South Africa is gearing up for its General Elections amidst calls for observance of democracy and transparency.
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