Former President of Benin, Thomas Yayi Boni, to Head African Union Election Observation Mission to the Presidential election in the Republic of Mali

H.E. Moussa Faki Mahatma

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Moussa Faki Mahatma, has appointed H.E. Thomas Yayi Boni, the former President of the Republic of Benin to lead the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to the Republic of Mali.This is contained in a press release by the African Union Commission.

The release stated that "H. E. Yayi Boni is expected to lead a 55-member African Union Observers who would be deployed in Mali from the 21 July to 4 August 2018. While in Mali, the Head of Mission of the AUEOM will interact with electoral stakeholders and other observer missions towards ensuring transparent, credible and peaceful election."

It adds that "The objectives of the AUEOM are to: (a) provide an accurate and impartial reporting or assessment of the quality of the 29 July 2018 Presidential Election, including the degree to which the conduct of the election meets regional, continental and international standards; (b) offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on the its observation and findings; and (c) demonstrate African Union’s commitment to support Mali’s democratisation process to ensure that the election contributes to the consolidation of democratic governance, peace and stability."

"The AUEOM draws its mandate from various African Union instruments, including (a) the African Union Guidelines for Electoral Observation and Monitoring Missions (2002); (b) the OUA/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002); African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (1981) and (c) African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007), among others."