Addis Ababa, 28 October 2019: In line with the African Union (AU)’s mandate of promoting democracy and democratic elections in Africa, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), has decided to deploy forty (40) Short-Term Observers (STOs) in the Republic of Mauritius from 31st October to 12 November 2019 for the 7th November 2019 Parliamentary Elections.

The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) will be led by Her Excellency Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe Wandira, former Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Chairperson of the AU Panel of the Wise and Co-chairperson of FemWise. The AUEOM comprises ambassadors drawn from the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) of the AU, members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), election administrators, civil society, media and electoral experts.

The deployment of an AUEOM to Mauritius demonstrates the AU’s commitment to supporting peaceful, democratic and credible electoral processes in its Member States by providing an objective assessment of the process. This is in line with Aspirations No.3 of Agenda 2063, which aims to ensure good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law on the continent. The conduct of peaceful, democratic and credible elections is widely recognized as being critical to achievement of Agenda 2063 and the AU’s vision of an integrated, peaceful and prosperous African continent.

Relevant AU instruments such as the 2007 African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the 2002 OAU/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa and the 2002 African Union Guidelines for Election Observation and Monitoring Missions, as well as Mauritius’s legal framework and international commitment for democratic elections will guide the Mission’s activities.
The AUEOM will issue a preliminary statement of its key findings and observations after the elections.

For more information on the Mission’s activities, please contact:

Mr. Guy Cyrille Tapoko – Head of Democracy and Electoral Assistance – Mission Coordinator.
Department of Political Affairs, African Union Commission. Email: tapokog@africa-union.org.