On President Edgar Lungu and Kenyan Elections
By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
As part of the promotion of Democracy, the African Union contributes to electoral observation through the African Union Election Observation Missions,(AUEOM).
A calendar of general elections scheduled to take place in the year is made available to the Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) by the African Union Commission (Secretariat).
The PRC approves the Heads and delegation to monitor and observe different elections in member states.
This is part of the Agenda 2063. Africa has made significant progress in institutionalising electoral democracy over the course of the past decade. This is reflected in a number of successful multiparty elections in most of AU member states.
The AUEOM draws its mandate from various African Union instruments, most importantly:
• the African Union Guidelines for Elections
• Observation and Monitoring Missions the OAU/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa.
•the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and
•the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
The observations of the AUEOM are based on the principles and standards for the conduct of democratic elections as enshrined in the aforementioned AU instruments.
I am aware that intimation or enquiry was sent to President Edgar Lungu last year, shortly after he left office, if he could head yhe Observer Mission to monitor elections due in Kenya in 2022.
However President Lungu expressed reservations as he petsonally knew and had a working relation, with the perceived front runners in the election. He also had a cordial relationship with outgoing President, Uhuru Kenyatta.
To my knowledge, the AU proceeded to consider other candidates to head the elections in Kenya due on 9th August 2022.
OBSERVER MISSION IN KENYAN ELECTIONS
The African Union (AU) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) launched a joint observer mission to observe the general elections in Kenya.
His Excellency, Ernest Bai Koroma, will head the Joint Election Observer Mission to the 2022 Kenya General Elections.
The Commonwealth announced the appointment of Botswana’s former president His Excellency Festus Mogae as the head of the observer group.
The Electoral Observation Mission of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) appointed former Nigerian President, His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan as head of its observer mission.
Brenthurst Foundation is also in Kenya participating in the election as observers.
Former Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe is leading the delegation. Others include Opposition Ugandan leaders, Bob Wine and Warren Kizza Besigye Kifefe.
About the Author; Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba is the immediate former Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union