Addis Ababa, 2 May 2018: The Department of Political Affairs, African Union Commission with support from the European Union has begun a four-day workshop on African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) Reporting in French and English in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The workshop is focusing on the AUEOMs preparation of high-quality reports and statements; ensuring that information is available in a timely manner, comprehensive and concise; a deeper understanding of the international/continental principles for the election observation; and principles for effective reporting, benchmarks and communication of AUEOM findings.

The workshop brings together 30 participants from various African Union Member States with expertise on constitutional law, human rights, election and conflict management, public policy analyses, communication, media, gender and civil society, including the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC). Most of the participants have already participated in previous AUEOMs as coordinators, core team members and LTOs. At the end of the workshop the participants are expected to have a sufficient level of knowledge to be able to serve in the position of AUEOM Coordinator and to fulfil the reporting requirements.

In his opening remarks on behalf of the Department of Political Affairs, Guy Cyrille Tapoko, the Acting Head of the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (DEAU) urged participants to see themselves as “the interface between the Department of Political Affairs and the AU leadership on election observation issues”. He also emphasized the “need to communicate effectively what obtains in the field to enable the Department deliver on its mandate.”

The Workshop begun today and ends on Saturday, 5 May 2018.

For more information, contact:
Guy Cyrille Tapoko
Acting Head Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit
tapokog@africa-union.org
Department of Political Affairs