ADDIS ABABA, 8 August 2021: Following an invitation of the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat approved the deployment of a thirty-member African Union Short-Term Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to Zambia’s 12 August 2021 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections led by His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone.

Following his arrival in Lusaka, Zambia on 7 August 2021, H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma officially launched the AUEOM on 8 August 2021. During his welcome remarks to the short-term observers (STOs) who are undergoing a two-day briefing and orientation session on the political context and state of preparation for the general elections, he declared that “the African Union Election Observation Mission to Zambia is a demonstration of the AU’s commitment to stand with and support its Member States in their journey to deepen democratic governance through holding transparent, credible and inclusive elections”. He also stated that “the Mission’s deployment is in line with the aspirations and goals of the AU’s Agenda 2063 which, among other things, aims to deepen democratic values and practices, build confidence in electoral processes, and ensure capable and accountable institutions and transformative leadership on the continent”. He expressed confidence in the ability of Zambians to conduct peaceful and democratic elections and hope the country’s enviable record of peaceful democratic transition will be maintained throughout.

The AUEOM’s mandate is derived from the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the 2002 AU/OAU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, and the 2002 AU Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions. Its assessment and observations will be guided by the principles and guidelines stated in these instruments, and other relevant international and regional instruments guiding international election observation, as well as the legal framework for elections in Zambia.
On 14 August 2021, the Mission will release a Preliminary Statement of its initial findings and assessment of the elections in a Press Conference in Lusaka. A comprehensive and Final Report will be released within two months from the date of announcement of final election results and will be posted on the AU Commission website.

The Mission’s Secretariat is located at Holiday Inn Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia.

For more information about the mission and its activities, please contact the Mission Coordinators: Mr. Idrissa Kamara at email: kamarai@africa-union.org/ +260765194281