Retired Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has been appointed to lead the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) ahead of Nigeria’s General Election, set to take place on February 25, 2023.
The AUEOM is a short-term election observation mission composed of 90 members from various African Union member states, including representatives of election management bodies, civil society organizations, independent experts, women and youth, and other African Union organs.
Kenyatta’s primary objective is to lead the team in providing an accurate and impartial assessment of the electoral process in Nigeria, including observing the degree to which the conduct of the elections meets regional, continental, and international standards for democratic elections.
The Uhuru-led mission will also offer recommendations for future elections based on its findings and will demonstrate the African Union’s solidarity and support for the consolidation of democracy, peace, stability, and development in Nigeria.
The AUEOM will engage with various stakeholders and observe the polling process as part of its observation process, with a preliminary statement on the electoral process expected to be issued on February 27, 2023, in Abuja.
Kenyatta’s appointment is expected to promote democratic principles and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process, while offering an opportunity for African nations to showcase their commitment to good governance, democracy, and the rule of law.
As the former head of state, Kenyatta continues to be influential in Africa, also serving as the AU-Kenya Peace Envoy and Facilitator of the EAC-Led Nairobi Peace Process.
He has been heavily involved in efforts to restore peace in conflict areas in EAC such as in DRC and Ethiopia. However, he recently missed a key summit in Bujumbura aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. Despite his absence, which raised eyebrows, Kenyatta’s office provided an explanation, citing logistical challenges.
