Victoria, Seychelles, 16 April 2018: The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) of the African Union Commission (AUC) has convened a technical workshop with the Heads of Election Divisions/Units, Heads of Secretariats of fora of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the President of the Executive Committee of the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA) on 16-17 April 2018 in Victoria, Seychelles. Representatives from RECs and EMB fora of RECs which participated at the inaugural technical workshop included the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), Electoral Commissions Forum of Southern African Development Community (ECF-SADC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), East African Community (EAC), and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The technical workshop precedes the meeting of the Executive Committee of the AAEA scheduled to take place on 18-19 April 2018, hosted by the Electoral Commission of Seychelles, a member of the Executive Committee representing Southern Africa region.

This inaugural technical workshop was presided by the Director of Political Affairs of the AUC, Dr. Khabele Matlosa, on behalf of H.E Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs. The principal objective of the workshop is to offer an opportunity for the AUC, AAEA and RECs to take stock, share experiences and draw lessons with a view to developing coherent strategies for strengthening their partnership in supporting EMBs within the 55 Member States of the AU. This is line with Agenda 2063, The “Africa We Want”, specifically Aspiration 3 which envisions “An Africa of good governance, democracy, and respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.” The multi-level collaborative linkages between the AUC, AAEA and RECs are yet to be well defined and articulated as the current initiatives at continental, regional and national levels have not fully explored the mutually reinforcing potential based on comparative advantages of these institutions.

The African continent holds the most number of elections than any other continent, thus demonstrating that elections have become entrenched in the continent’s political landscape. However, the democratic quality of elections in Africa has not yet been fully realized. The general trend on electoral democracy in Africa presents a mixed bag of progression and retrogression. In a review of democratic performance of African countries from 2006-2017, available evidence demonstrates that democracy in Africa is generally in decline. By the same token, EMBs have also reported mixed performance as the social, economic, political and operational environment on the continent continues to become more complex for effective management of peaceful, credible and democratic electoral processes. This workshop seeks to strengthen synergies in electoral assistance in order to contribute to sustainable election management and broader democratic and participatory governance in Africa.

For more information please contact:
Guy Cyrille Tapoko, Ag. Head, DEAU
Email: tapokog@africa-union.org