AU deploys observer mission team to Mauritius
THE African Union has deployed 40 shortterm observers to Mauritius for elections set for November 7, according to the body’s mandate of promoting democracy and democratic elections on the continent.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat approved the deployment of the observers.
The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) will be led by Dr Speciosa Kazibwe Wandira, former Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Chairperson of the AU Panel of the Wise and Co-chairperson of FemWise. The AUEOM comprises ambassadors drawn from the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) of the AU, members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), election administrators, civil society, media and electoral experts. The deployment of an AUEOM to Mauritius demonstrates the AU’s commitment to supporting peaceful, democratic and credible electoral processes in its Member States by providing an objective assessment of the process.
This is in line with Aspirations No.3 of Agenda 2063, which aims to ensure good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law on the continent.
The conduct of peaceful, democratic and credible elections is widely recognised as being critical to achievement of Agenda 2063 and the AU’s vision of an integrated, peaceful and prosperous African continent.
Relevant AU instruments such as the 2007 African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the 2002 OAU/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa and the 2002 African Union Guidelines for Election Observation and Monitoring Missions, as well as Mauritius’s legal framework and international commitment for democratic elections will guide the mission’s activities. The AUEOM will issue a preliminary statement of its key findings and observations after the elections. — AUNews.
THE elections held in Botswana on Wednesday last week were conducted in a peaceful and free atmosphere, and the environment enabled voters to express themselves in a transparent manner, SADC has said.
Presenting a preliminary statement on the elections, Head of SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM), who is also Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo, commended the Independent Electoral Commission of Botswana for the professional manner in which it conducted the elections.
He also praised the people of Botswana for the political maturity they demonstrated during the electoral process.
Dr Moyo was accompanied by his alternate Cde Patrick Chinamasa and the Director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, Mr Jorge Cardoso, who was representing the SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, when he presented the statement.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Government of Botswana, Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Corps, representatives of United Nations agencies, SADC Ambassadors accredited to Botswana, representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, religious organisations and the media.
The release of the SADC preliminary statement was held jointly with the African Union Electoral Observation Mission headed by Mr Jallow Tambajang Fatoumata, former Vice President of the Republic of the Gambia.
Ms Winnie Magagula, Deputy Chairperson of the Elections and Boundaries Commission of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Head of the SADC Electoral Commissions Forum Election Observation Mission also attended.
President Mnangagwa, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, constituted the electoral observer mission, which deployed its observers to 10 districts of the country.
The mission will issue its final report within 30 days of the conclusion of the electoral cycle in accordance with the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2015). — Herald Reporter/Sadcnews.