Djibouti, February 17, 2018 – H. E Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) has sent an AU Election Observation Mission to the legislative elections of February 23, 2018 in the Republic of Djibouti.

The Election Observation Mission of the African Union is led by His Excellency Mr. Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, former Prime Minister of the Central African Republic. The Mission has 38 members. It is composed of Ambassadors accredited to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Pan-African Parliamentarians, Heads of institutions in charge of elections and members of organizations of the African Civil Society.

The observers, members of this Mission, are drawn from 22 African countries, including: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Mauritania, Central African Republic, Republic Democratic Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, Chad, Togo and Tunisia.

The AU mission is expected to observe the electoral process under way in Djibouti, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which entered into force on 15 February 2012, the Declaration of OAU / AU on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa AHG / Decl.1 (XXXVIII) and AU Guidelines for Election Observation and Monitoring Missions as well as the Constitution and Laws of the Republic of Djibouti.

The main purpose of the mission is to make an honest, independent and impartial observation and assessment of the organization and conduct of these elections.

The Mission will meet with the political, administrative and judicial authorities of the country, the institutions in charge of elections, the national actors involved in the electoral process and the representatives of the international community in order to be aware of the arrangements made to ensure a free and credible elections in the country.

The AU Mission will deploy its observers to all the regions and districts of the country, namely: Djibouti, Arta, Wea, Obock, Alaili Dadda, Tadjourah, Randa, Dorra, Balho, Ali Sabieh, Assamo, Dikhil, Yoboki and As Eyla.

This Observation Mission will focus on the regularity, transparency, fairness and conduct of the vote. After the February 23 elections, the AU Observers Mission will hold a press conference on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Sheraton Djibouti Hotel, during which it will present its preliminary report highlighting its observations and recommendations to the political authorities and other stakeholders.

Worth noting that, the AU Election Observers Mission to Djibouti has established its headquarters and secretariat at the Sheraton Hotel. The members of the Mission Secretariat can be reached at +253 77 27 30 48.

The African Union Mission thanks the Djiboutian authorities for the measures taken to facilitate its work.

Done at Djibouti on Saturday, February 17, 2018

For the Mission,

S.E.M.Anicet-Georges Dologuélé

Head of Mission

For any other information, please contact:

Karine Kakasi Siaba: +253 77 27 30 48
Email: Kakasik@africa-union.org
Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (DEAU)
Department of Political Affairs | Commission of the African Union

For media information, please contact:

Esther Azaa Tankou: +253 77 27 30 48
E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org
Directorate of Information and Communication | Commission of the African Union
E-mail: dinfo@africanunion.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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