An African Union -AU Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) consisting of 40 short term observers have been deployed to the Republic of Botswana to monitor the country’s election from the 18 – 23 of October 2019.
In a statement by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AUEOM short-term observation (STO) Mission will be led by Her Excellency H.E. Mrs. Fatoumata Tambanjang, a former Vice-President of the Republic of Gambia.
Other delegation of the short-term observation (STO) Mission includes ambassadors from the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) of the AU, parliamentarians from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), election administrators, civil society, media and electoral experts.
The AUEOM short-term observation (STO) Mission is will among other things ensure the provision of an accurate and impartial reporting/assessment of the quality of 2019 General Elections in the Republic of Botswana which must include the degree to which the conduct of the elections meets regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections.
It is also to offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on its findings while demonstrating AU’s solidarity and support for Botswana’s election and democratization process and the conduct of democratic, credible and peaceful elections thus contributing to the consolidation of democratic governance, peace and stability in the country.
African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) draws its mandate from various African Union instruments such as the AU’s Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions (2002), the OUA/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (1981).
The deployment of the short-term observation (STO) Mission to Botswana demonstrates AU’s commitment to supporting credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful electoral processes in its Member States.
AU’s Election Observation Mission is also expected to provide an objective assessment of the process and the political environment surrounding it 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.
