The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has arrived in Ethiopia to lead the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for June 1, 2026.
The African Union deployed the mission at the invitation of the Ethiopian government, with Uhuru appointed to oversee the team tasked with monitoring the electoral process and evaluating it against African and international democratic standards.
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Speaking upon his arrival in Addis Ababa, Uhuru emphasized the importance of the elections, noting that their significance extends beyond Ethiopia because the country hosts the headquarters of the African Union.
“Ethiopia is home to the African Union, making these elections important not only for Ethiopians but for the entire continent,” he said.
The former Head of State expressed optimism about the voting process and called for a peaceful election.
“We are pleased to be here with our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia and look forward to observing the voting process on Monday,” he said.
He urged Ethiopians to maintain peace and make informed choices that would contribute to the country’s continued development and strengthen its role as a model nation for Africa.
Uhuru also highlighted the African Union’s broader role in supporting democratic processes across the continent through election observation missions.
According to him, the AU’s involvement in elections helps promote democracy, encourages the exchange of experiences among member states, and enables countries to learn from one another’s electoral practices.
He concluded by wishing Ethiopia a successful and peaceful election.
The African Union said the observation mission consists of 73 short-term observers drawn from 37 African countries.
The team includes diplomats accredited to the AU, election management officials, civil society representatives, election and governance experts, human rights specialists, gender and media professionals, as well as youth representatives.
Observers will be deployed across various parts of Ethiopia to monitor critical stages of the electoral process, including the opening of polling stations, voting procedures, the closing of polls, and the counting and tallying of votes.
The AU noted that the mission is part of its ongoing efforts to promote democratic governance, credible elections, and political stability across the continent.
Election observation missions remain a key mechanism through which the African Union independently assesses electoral processes and supports member states in strengthening democratic institutions.
The mission is expected to issue a preliminary statement shortly after voting concludes before releasing a detailed final report outlining its findings and recommendations.
