Former President Uhuru In South Africa To Lead AU Election Observation Mission

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead the African Union Election Observation Mission for South Africa’s General Elections on May 29, 2024.
• The mission, comprising 60 individuals from various African countries, aims to assess the elections’ conduct and will release preliminary findings and recommendations by May 31, 2024.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has been appointed by the African Union Commission (AUC) to lead the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) for the upcoming South Africa General Elections. 

Scheduled for May 29, 2024, the elections will see South Africans heading to the ballot box.

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The AUEOM comprises a team of 60 individuals, including ambassadors, election management body officials, members of African civil society organizations, election experts, human rights specialists, gender and media experts, and representatives of youth organizations. 

Its mandate involves collaborating with various stakeholders such as state authorities, the Independent Electoral Commission, political parties, media, civil society organizations, and international community representatives.

The mission, as outlined by the AU, will also engage with other election observation missions deployed for the 2024 General Elections in South Africa. 

Following the voting process, the Uhuru-led Mission is set to release its preliminary findings and recommendations on the conduct of the elections by May 31, 2024.

Delegates in the Mission represent 24 countries, including Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The elections are anticipated to witness participation from 27 million registered voters, marking what is expected to be the closest vote in three decades of democracy in South Africa. 

With over 50 parties competing for seats in parliament, the elected members will subsequently appoint the president. 

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Notable contestants in the presidential race include incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader Julius Malema, former President Jacob Zuma (barred by court), and John Steenhuisen, among others.