Kigali, Rwanda, 30th September 2018 – Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), H.E Mrs. Aichatou Mindaoudou Souleymane, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Niger arrived in Kigali on 29th September 2018 to lead the AUEOM to Rwanda’s 2018 Parliamentary Elections.

Being present in Kigali since 26th of August, the AUEOM will observe and assess the
2-4 September 2018 Parliamentary Election with a view to contributing to the Peacefulness, transparency and integrity of these elections.

The observer will remain in Rwanda until the 8th of September 2018. The AUEOM will release a statement on its preliminary findings on the conduct of the Rwanda’s 2018
Parliamentary Elections at a press conference in Kigali. The venue and time for the Press Conference will be communicated in due course.

The purpose of the technical briefing was to provide key information on the political context of the 2018 elections and the state of preparedness of NEC and other national stakeholders, as well as familiarization with AU election observation methodology.

The deployment of the AUEOM to Rwanda is in line with the AU’s mandate of promoting and deepening democracy on the continent, as enshrined in relevant instruments of the continental body. It is also in line with the third aspiration of the AU Agenda 2063, which aims to ensure good governance, democracy, and respect for human rights, justice and rule of law on the continent. The conduct of transparent and credible elections in Member States, which AUEOMs aim to ensure, is a prerequisite to the realization of the aspirations of Agenda 2063, and the overall goal of ensuring an
Integrated, peaceful and prosperous Africa.

The 30 observers comprises members from Pan-African Parliament (PAP), African Association of Electoral Authorities (AAEA, Civil Society Organizations,Think Tanks/Media / Academia, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC),
Etc.

The AUEOM Secretariat is located at Serena hotel in Kigali and can be contacted through:
Mr. Guy Cyrille Tapoko, Head, Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit, Department of Political Affairs, tapokog@africa-union.org Tel: +250 789 034 625

Ms. Afrah Mohamed Thabit, Directorate of Information and Communication thabitma@africa-union.org Tel: +250 782 766 860

For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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