AFRICAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 3-5 DECEMBER 2015 IN THE REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES

ARRIVAL STATEMENT
VICTORIA, 29 NOVEMBER 2015

Following an invitation from the Government of the Republic of Seychelles, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, deployed an African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to Seychelles to observe the Presidential election scheduled for 3-5 December 2015. The AUEOM is led by H.E Mrs Julie Dolly Joiner, former Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union and comprises seventeen (17) short-term observers drawn from fourteen (14) African countries, representing the African ambassadors accredited to the African Union, members of the Pan-African Parliament, Election Management Bodies and Civil Society Organisations. The Mission arrived on 26 November 2015 and will remain in the country until 10 December 2015.

The AUEOM’s mandate is derived from the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; the 2002 AU/OAU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa; and the 2002 AU Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions. The assessment and observations of the Mission will be impartial and objective, informed by the principles and guidelines stipulated in the aforementioned standards as well as the legal framework for elections in Seychelles.

The AUEOM will issue a statement of its preliminary assessment of the elections on 7 December at a Press Conference at Savoy Hotel in Victoria. The African Union will continue to follow the electoral process to its conclusion and will release a final and comprehensive report within two months after the end of the process.

Further enquiries about the AUEOM can be made to the Mission Coordinator, Mr. Guy Cyrille, email: Tapokog@africa-union.org; Telephone: +2482578669.