Excellencies,
Member of the African Union Permanent Representative Council,
Honorable Members of the Pan African Parliament,
Members of Election Management Bodies,
Members of Civil Society Organizations,
Members of the Media, herein present,
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Colleagues

Good Morning and welcome to the official opening and launch of the African Union Election Observation Mission to the 2016 Parliamentary Elections in Seychelles. I bring greetings from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. May I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Chairperson, and on my own behalf, to extend our gratitude to the government of the Republic of Seychelles for extending an invitation to the African Union to observe the Parliamentary Elections that are scheduled for 8 to 10 September 2016.

Dear Colleagues,
As you are all aware, this is the first ever, historic woman-only election observation mission to be deployed by the African Union. Being a woman with a passion for the promotion of women’s rights, I am indeed honored and humbled to lead this most important Mission. You will recall that 2015 has been declared the African Year of Human Rights, with a particular focus on the rights of women. It is on this occasion that the African Union has decided to deploy this all-woman mission in commemoration of the rights of women.

You will ask – why Seychelles?
It is indeed befitting that this first ever all woman Mission is deployed in Seychelles. As you might be aware, Seychelles is one of the leading countries in women’s participation in politics. Currently, Seychelles ranks number 4 in the world, number 2 in Africa – after Rwanda; and number 1 in the SADC region with the highest number of women parliamentarians. Indeed, we have a lot to learn from this country – and we are honoured to launch our first ever all-woman mission in Seychelles.

To you the observers,
I wish to thank you sincerely, for taking time outside of your otherwise busy schedules and to travel away from your homes – to spend the next few days here in Seychelles.
Allow me to commend you for the dedication and commitment that you have displayed by agreeing to be part of this mission.

May I also wish you well as we begin this 2 day briefing and deployment training that will prepare us to observe the elections.

With these few words, I declare this mission fully launched and wish you all the best!

I thank you.