Tendai Keith Guvamombe Pretoria, South Africa – The African Union’s (AU) approach to election observation is uniquely comprehensive and highly inclusive, according to Tawanda Chimhini, an AU Expert in Democracy and Elections.
Speaking recently at a training workshop for members of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) in Pretoria, Chimhini highlighted the strength and diversity of the African Union Election Observation Missions (AUEOMs), positioning them as models for global best practice.
“The African Union election observation missions are the most inclusive that you will find anywhere in the world,” Chimhini asserted.
This inclusiveness is rooted in a deliberate, multi-stakeholder composition designed to ensure diverse perspectives and political neutrality.
A Hybrid, Inclusive ModelChimhini detailed the hybrid structure of the AUEOMs:
* Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Members: The missions include politicians representing various political parties, ensuring legislative and political insight.
* PRC Members: Ambassadors of AU member states, based in Addis Ababa (the Permanent Representatives’ Committee), also form part of the team, offering diplomatic and state-level context.
* African Citizens & Technical Experts: A “huge contingent” comprises people from civil society, academia, human rights, and inclusion experts, ensuring technical depth and grassroots understanding of political participation.
* Election Management Bodies (EMBs) Representatives: Professionals from other national EMBs are included, providing peer-to-peer expertise.The missions are always led by a former head of state, ensuring high-level political stature and neutrality.
The Depth of Observation
Chimhini stressed that AU observation is not a last-minute exercise. The process begins significantly early, reinforcing the credibility of the final assessment.”These missions don’t just start observing a few days before the election,” he explained.
The AU deploys Pre-Election Assessment Missions (PEAMs) between three to six months before an election. These missions involve technical experts who remain on the ground to continuously assess the electoral context, establishing a common and firm understanding of the political environment long before short-term observers arrive.
PAP’s Crucial Role
Chimhini acknowledged that while the AUEOM model, as defined in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), is exhaustive, there is always room for strengthening.
He emphasized that the feedback and recommendations from PAP, as an organ of the AU, are crucial.By actively participating and providing constructive input, PAP can directly influence the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Commissioner, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, helping to refine and strengthen the AU’s observation processes.
This collaborative approach underscores the AU’s commitment to not just observing elections, but continually improving the standards of democracy across the continent.
