Mozambique 2019 Elections: AU recognizes notable improvement in the legal framework and management of the elections, notwithstanding political and security challenges

Maputo, Mozambique, 17 October 2019: The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to the Republic of Mozambique held a press conference to release its preliminary assessment and conclusions on the conduct of the 15 October 2019 Presidential, Legislative and Provincial Elections. The Press Conference was addressed by H.E. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission to Mozambique, and Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The press conference took place in the presence of stakeholders in Mozambique, local and international media, and other international observer groups, including:

1. SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM);

2. Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA);

3. Commonwealth Electoral Observation Mission;

4. Electoral Observation Mission of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP);

5. Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC); and

6. Electoral Observation Mission of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).

While presenting the Mission’s preliminary findings and conclusions, the Head of Mission specifically recognizes and commends the government of Mozambique and RENAMO party for successfully negotiating the new decentralization arrangement, most important of which is the election of provincial governors for the first time.

He also commended Mozambique for adopting the necessary measures to enable the diaspora community in nine (9) countries including: South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Swaziland, Portugal and Germany to exercise their right to vote. This was a laudable practice that ensures inclusivity in the electoral process.

Among the key recommendations proffered for consideration of stakeholders were the need to simplify the cumbersome accreditation process for civil society organisations interested in observing elections and putting in places measures to instill confidence in the accuracy of the voter register.

H.E. Goodluck Jonathan concluded that, the statement is preliminary and is issued while the process is not yet concluded. A final report will be released approximately two months after the end of election process.

For more information on the Mission’s activities, please contact:

Mr. Idrissa Kamara | Political/Electoral Officer, Mission Coordinator, Department of Political Affairs, African Union Commission | Email: kamarai@africa-union.org;
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mr. Gamal Ahmed A. Karrar | Communications Officer, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | E- mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

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