AU Appoints Uhuru to Head Election Observation Mission in Nigeria

Addis Ababa, 14 February 2023: The African Union Commission (AUC) has launched the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) for the 25 February 2023 General Elections in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The short-term election observation mission comprises ninety (90) members drawn from various AU Member States comprising representatives of Election Management Bodies, civil society organisations, independent experts, women and youth as well as AU Organs, notably, the Pan African Parliament and Permanent Representatives Committee.

The AUEOM is supported by a team of experts from the AUC.

The AUEOM will be led by His Excellency Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya.

The former president will be assisted by Core Team Election Expert, Crispin Kugiza Kaheru from the Republic of Uganda.

The objectives of the Missions are to (a) 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; (b) offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on the findings; and (c) demonstrate AU’s solidarity and support towards consolidation of democracy, peace, stability and development in Nigeria.

The Mission draw its mandate from various AU  instruments, most importantly: (a) the 2002 African Union Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions; (b) the 2002 OUA/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa; 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and (c) the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; and Aspiration No. 3 of the AU Agenda 2063, which aims to ensure an Africa of good governance, democracy and respect for human rights, justice and rule of law, among others.

As part of its observation process in Nigeria, the AUEOM will engage with various stakeholders as well as observe the polling process.

Based on the findings, AUEOM will issue its preliminary statement on the electoral process on 27 February 2023 in Abuja.