African Union observers on daunting mission in Kenya, Senegal as the two countries go to polls

African Union observers on daunting mission in Kenya, Senegal as the two countries go to polls

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The African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission is in for a major month of work, with two teams dispatched to Senegal and Kenya where there are upcoming elections. Senegal held legislative elections on 31 July, while Kenya’s General Election is coming up on August 9.

The polls, according to the opposition, would be a dress rehearsal for the 2024 presidential elections and if they gain a parliamentary advantage, they will use it to stop President Macky Sall in his tracks from seeking a third term.

Then on August 9, when Kenya will hold general election, will mark the end of the Uhuru Kenyatta presidency. His father, the late Jomo Kenyatta, was Kenya’s president at independence. In the upcoming election, Kenyatta is bidding for his former political rival, Raila Odinga. Raila’s father, Jaramogi Odinga, became Kenya’s first post-independence vice-president in 1963.

The senior Odinga and Kenyatta would later become political rivals. With Uhuru and Raila born in political aristocracy, their alliance today is seen as a way of cementing dynastic politics in Kenya.

According to the AU, “The short-term election observation mission comprises 10 members drawn from the various AU member states and is led by Bernard Makuza, the former prime minister of the Republic of Rwanda. The team has been in Senegal since July 25 and will stay until August 3 after the election results have been announced.”

“The observer mission’s mandate in Senegal is to provide an accurate and impartial assessment of the electoral process, including the degree to which the conduct of the elections meets regional, continental, and international standards for democratic elections,” said Robert Gerenge, the principal advisor to Election Management Bodies.

The observers will also offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on the findings and demonstrate the AU’s solidarity and support towards the consolidation of democracy in Senegal. A preliminary statement on the credibility of the polls is expected on August 2.

Because of the high stakes in Kenya, in May the AU began its work there through a High-Level Pre-Election Assessment Mission, jointly with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC).

The team is led by Domitien Ndayizeye, the former president of Burundi and current chairperson of the AU Panel of the Wise.

“The purpose of the mission was to assess the state of preparedness for the August 9, 2022 General Election and engage in consultations and dialogue with key stakeholders to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive outcomes,” said Idrissa Kamara, the political and election officer at the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU.

Based on the findings and recommendations of the high-level pre-election assessment mission, the AU subsequently deployed an Election Expert Mission to Kenya from June 25 to July 24, 2022.

The mission comprises eight experts from the AU, Comesa, EAC, IGAD and independent conflict analysts. It is mandated to assess the political dynamics, genuine inclusivity, competitiveness, and fairness of the electoral process, especially the electoral campaigns.

  • An African News report
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