AU-COMESA Launch Joint Election Observer Mission to Upcoming General Election in Kenya

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AU-COMESA Launch Joint Election Observer Mission to Upcoming General Election in Kenya
AU-COMESA Launch Joint Election Observer Mission to Upcoming General Election in Kenya

Africa-Press – Ethiopia. The African Union (AU) and the Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA) officially launched their joint election observation mission today to the 2022 Kenya General Elections.

According to a statement released by the African Union, the joint mission is led by former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, supported by former Minister of Health and Social Development of Seychelles, Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd, a Member of the COMESA Committee of Elders.

The objectives of the Mission are to assess the conduct of the 2022 General Elections as part of the AU-COMESA broad mandates to promote democracy and democratic elections in Africa in line with their overall vision of a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa.

Speaking at the launch of the Mission, former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma said that the mandate of the joint AU-COMESA Election Observer Mission is an independent, objective, and impartial assessment of the electoral process in accordance with the provisions of the international standards and principles.

Koroma emphasized that, “the Mission will demonstrate the two organizations’ joint efforts to promote peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible elections that will strengthen Kenya’s democratic process.”

Deputy Leader of the Joint Mission, Ambassador Lloyd on her part said the launch demonstrates the importance of the 9 August elections,” which is not just recognized by COMESA and the AU but also by the broader international community as evident in the record number of former presidents leading the observer missions.”

The mission which was launched on 4th August 2022 was followed by a three-day orientation and briefing exercise for the observers.

The AU and COMESA began joint engagements in Kenya’s electoral process in May 2022, with the deployment of a high-level pre-election assessment mission to assess the preparedness and the context in which the elections will take place.

A joint Election Experts’ Mission began in June and a Long-Term Election Observation Mission followed in the month of July 2022.

The joint mission comprises 90 observers drawn from governments, Member States, the Pan African Parliament, the Civil Society Organizations, Academia and Election Management Bodies in Africa amongst others.

The Short-Term Observers will be deployed to various electoral areas of the country on Sunday, 7 August 2022.

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