Kenyatta leads the African Union's election observation mission in Ethiopia.
An African mission comprising 73 observers to support transparency and promote
Written by Mohamed Omran
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in Addis Ababa to lead the African Union's election observation mission, ahead of Ethiopia's seventh general election scheduled for June 1, 2026.
Kenyatta leads the African Union's election observation mission in Ethiopia.
FMC reported that members of the African Union mission, along with representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), also arrived in the Ethiopian capital to support election monitoring efforts as the country entered the final days before voting.
An African mission comprising 73 observers to support transparency and promote
The mission has already begun introductory sessions and briefings on Ethiopia’s political and legal framework, the electoral process, and the African Union principles aimed at promoting fair, transparent, and peaceful elections.
According to mission officials, the African Union deployed 73 short-term observers from 37 African countries, underscoring the continent's commitment to African-led election monitoring and democratic governance.
The mission includes ambassadors accredited to the African Union, election management experts, civil society representatives, election and human rights specialists, gender and media experts, as well as youth representatives.
Observers are scheduled to be deployed in different regions of Ethiopia to monitor election day, including the opening of polling stations, voting procedures, vote counting, and the compilation of results.
The presence of the IGAD adds a regional dimension to the monitoring efforts, enhancing cooperation in democratic governance, election integrity, and stability in the Horn of Africa region.
Ethiopia’s upcoming general elections are a significant democratic event, with more than 50 million voters expected to participate, and are being closely watched regionally and continentally for the role of African institutions in supporting transparent and credible elections across the continent.
Ethiopia heads to the polls next week, with government officials presenting the elections as a sign of a transition to genuine democracy. However, critics warn that restrictions on civil liberties and ongoing conflict undermine the credibility of the process.
