Jonathan departs Abuja Saturday to lead AU, COMESA election mission to Zimbabwe
Former President Goodluck Jonathan leaves Abuja for Harare on Saturday to observe Zimbabwe’s general elections, scheduled for August 23.
Mr Jonathan would lead a joint observer mission of the Africa Union (AU) and Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) for the states.
This is contained in a statement by the AU Commission chairperson, Moussa Mahamat, on Friday in Abuja.
The joint AU-COMESA team, according to Mr Mahamat, is composed of 73 short-term observers and three core teams of electoral experts, who would be involved in the election observation activities from August 16 to August 29 in Zimbabwe.
He said the AU and COMESA election observer mission aimed to provide accurate and impartial reporting or assessment of the quality of the harmonised elections.
According to Mr Mahamat, this includes observing the degree to which the conduct of the elections meets regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections.
It will be the fourth time Mr Jonathan will lead an AU election observation mission since 2016, having led the continental body’s missions to Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia.
“The observer team is expected to offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on the findings; demonstrate AU’s solidarity and support towards Zimbabwe’s election and democratisation process to ensure that the conduct of democratic, credible and peaceful elections contributes to the consolidation of democratic governance, peace and stability in the country,” he said.
The AU chairperson also said the joint AU-COMESA EOM would engage with several stakeholders and observe the final preparations and polling process.
Mr Mahamat added that the observer mission would issue its preliminary statement after the election date.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the government recently invited local and international observers to the country’s polls.
International observer missions, including the European Union and the Carter Center, have already deployed their teams to observe the country’s elections.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
![House of Representatives, [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Twitter handle of Reps NGR]](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/House-or-Representatives.jpg)
NationWide
Reps pledge transparency, accountability to make Nigeria better
He added that the 10th house was focused on actualising its promise to Nigerians individually and collectively as a parliament.
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Showbiz
Davido, Rema, others make list of 100 peace icons in Africa
The peace icons are Africans drawn from different backgrounds who have used their talents, positions and resources to build and promote peace across the continent.
States
EFCC, customs partner to fight illegal mining in Osun, Oyo
He expressed confidence in the competence of both organisations to tackle the menace head-on.
States
Man remanded for killing younger brother’s sons in Ogun
Mr Oyewole also alleged that the defendant used a machete to cut the children’s heads and other parts of their bodies, leading to their death.
States
UNICEF says eight LGAs in Borno lagging in routine immunisation
The affected LGAs are Maiduguri Metropolitan, Damboa, Gubio, Jere, Konduga, Mafa, Monguno and Ngala.
Ibadan
Eight-year-old boy accused of stealing plastic materials escapes lynching in Ibadan
“He said that since her mother could no longer afford to buy gas or charcoal, they had resorted to using plastic materials to ignite a fire for cooking.”
