Nairobi, 9 August 2022 (TDI): The African Union (AU) and the Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA) joint electoral mission was launched on 4th August 2022.
Following its inauguration, a three-day orientation and briefing exercise for the observers took place. The engagements between AU and COMESA began in May 2022 for the electoral process in Kenya.
#Kenya Elections 2022: The Head of the Joint #AU–#COMESA #EOM @eblegacy briefs the media at Kibera constituency polling station in #Nairobi about the Mission’s impression of the election processes as a strategy to promote transparency in the entire process.#KenyaDecides pic.twitter.com/bQk3kkNre1
— African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (@AUC_PAPS) August 9, 2022
Agenda of Joint Mission
The African Union (AU) and the Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA), launched their joint election observer commission. This commission aims to head the ongoing general elections in Kenya.
This joint commission is led by the former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma. Minister of Health and Social Development of Seychelles, Ambassador Marie- Pierre Lloyd.
AU-COMESA joint commission’s agenda is to promote democracy and democratic elections in the African region.
The mission demonstrates the long-term vision of both organizations. Both organizations promote free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in Kenya.
Ambassador Marie- Pierre Lloyd said, “the launch demonstrates the importance of the 9 August elections, which is recognized by COMESA and the AU and the broader international community as evident in the recorded number of former presidents leading the observer’s missions”.
Main Competitors in Elections
Raila Odinga is part of Kenya’s political ecosystem and has served as the Prime Minister of Kenya for 5 years since the disputed election in 2007. This time Odinga has earned the support of outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Deputy President William Ruto has pledged to prioritize Kenya’s economy and uplift ordinary citizens if elected as the next president.
The AU-COMESA joint mission comprises 90 observers from governments, Academia, Civil Society, and Election Management Bodies in Africa, amongst others.
