Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 30 August 2016: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has approved the deployment of a Woman-only Short-Term Election Observer Mission for the Parliamentary Elections scheduled for 8-10 September, 2016 in the Republic of Seychelles.

The Chairperson is pleased to deploy the first ever Women-only observation mission in line with the AU’s commemoration of the ‘African Year of Human Rights with a Special Focus on the Rights of Women’. The AU Election Observation Mission to Seychelles will be led by H.E. Fatuma Ndangiza, former Chairperson of the African Peer Review Panel of Eminent Persons. The Mission will be dispatched from 01 – 15 September 2016.

The overall objective of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) is to provide an accurate and impartial reporting and assessment of the quality of the Parliamentary Elections in Seychelles, including the degree to which the conduct of the elections meet regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections. The mission will also offer recommendations for improvement of future electoral processes in the country based on observer findings; and ensure that the conduct of genuine elections contributes to the consolidation of democratic governance, peace and stability in the country.

The Chairperson reaffirms the African Union’s continued support to the government and people of the Republic of Seychelles as they strive to consolidate democracy, peace and stability in their country.

For more information, please contact the Mission Coordinator, Ms. Sharon Ndlovu Email: ndlovus@africa-union.org; Tel: +251965206181.

For Media Enquiries: please contact Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou Yambou, Head of Information Division, AUC; Email: yamboue@africa-union.org / esthertankou@yahoo.com