INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE
Press Release No: 074/2024 Date: 29 April 2024
Venue: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
African Union Commission Deploys Election Observation Mission to the Republic of South Africa to observe the 29 May 2024 General Elections
The Republic of South Africa is scheduled to hold General Elections on 29 May 2024. As the country makes final preparations towards this end, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, will deploy an African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to South Africa.
The AUEOM comprises 60 short-term observers (STOs) including three (3) Core Team electoral experts, set to observe the Elections from 21 May to 3 June 2024. The Mission will be led by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya.
The objectives of the AUEOM are to: (a) provide impartial reporting or assessment of the quality of the 29 May General Elections in South Africa, including the degree to which the conduct of the elections meets regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections; (b) offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on the findings; and (c) demonstrate the AU’s solidarity and support towards South Africa’s elections and democratization process to ensure that the conduct of democratic, credible and peaceful elections contributes to the consolidation of democratic governance, peace and stability in the country.
The AUEOM draws its mandate from various AU instruments, notably: (a) the African Union Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions (2002); (b) the OUA/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002); African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (1981) and (c) African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007). It also aligns with Aspiration 3 of the AU Agenda 2063, which aims to ensure good governance, democracy and respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law.
The AUEOM will engage with several stakeholders and observe the final preparations and polling process. Based on the findings, the AUEOM will issue its preliminary statement after Election Day.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Samuel Atuobi, AUEOM Coordinator I Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department I African Union Commission I Email: Atuobis@africa-union.org
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mr. Paschal Chem-Langhee I Communication Coordinator I Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department I African Union Commission I Email: chem-langheep@africa-union.org
Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Web: au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
