The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, has endorsed the Return Visit of the Head of African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to the 12^th August 2021 General Elections in Zambia, H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The main objectives of the Return Visit are to formally present the Final Report of the AUEOM to Zambian authorities and stakeholders and engage in discussion with stakeholders on the key findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Mission. It serves as the closing point of the AUEOM to Zambia.

The Final Report, which is issued one to two months after the completion of the electoral process, is the cornerstone of AU election observation activities in the Member States. One of the key elements of the Final Report of the AUEOM is the recommendations offered to improve the framework and conduct of future elections in the Member States. Recommendations are included for consideration by the state and electoral authorities, political parties, media, civil society, and other stakeholders. The recommendations draw upon observation of instances where commitments and obligations under the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and other relevant AU and international norms and standards for the conduct of democratic elections were not yet implemented or where practices could be strengthened.

If recommendations are not addressed, electoral shortcomings and vulnerabilities are likely to persist, and may worsen. This may have a detrimental impact on the perceived credibility of future electoral processes. The non-fulfilment of recommendations may also contribute to governance challenges, possibly leading to security concerns at the national and regional levels. As a result, the implementation of AUEOM recommendations has become an area of interest for the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU Commission.

In this regard, the Return Visit of H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma will focus on holding discussions with a wide range of stakeholders in Zambia on implementation of the recommendations of the AUEOM and identifying practical ways in which the quality of elections can be improved to fulfil AU commitments and other international obligations and standards.

For further information please contact:

1. Mr. Guy Cyrille Tapoko | Head, Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit | Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security | African Union Commission | Email: tapokog@africa-union.org
2. Mr. Idrissa Kamara, Political/Election Officer | Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 912628629 | E-mail: kamarai@africa-union.org
3. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communications Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail: gamalk@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
Web: au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube