AUC Chairperson’s Statements on Elections in Sao Tome & Principe, and Mozambique

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - 20 October 2014: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma congratulates the governments and peoples of Sao Tome and Principe, and Mozambique for successfully holding peaceful elections on 12 October 2014 and 15 October 2014 respectively.

The Chairperson notes that the regular conduct of elections in African Union Member States is a clear demonstration of their commitment to upholding the principles enshrined in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. She calls on political stakeholders in Sao Tome and Principe and Mozambique to continue to maintain a climate of peace and thus contribute to the nurturing, deepening and consolidation of democratic and participatory governance.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma further notes that increasingly, elections in Africa are becoming more peaceful, orderly and less conflict-ridden. This is yet another indicator of the maturation of the democratization process on the continent as exemplified in efforts being made by most Members states in undertaking electoral reforms to improve the transparency and credibility of electoral processes in Africa.

In light of the on-going preparations for elections in Botswana, Comoros, Namibia and Tunisia before the end of 2014, the Chairperson urges stakeholders in these countries to ensure that a level playing field exists for all political contenders, and calls on all concerned to ensure that the elections will be free and credible in order to sustain the conduct of peaceful elections on the continent.

The Chairperson calls on countries and development partners to make good their pledges and commitments to support the electoral process in Comoros in order to ensure the election is held as scheduled.

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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