Uhuru in South Africa to lead AU Election Observation Mission

The African Union Commission (AUC) appointed Uhuru to lead the Mission as South Africans head to the ballot on May 29, 2024. 

AU’s election observation team of 60 people is comprised of ambassadors, officials of election management bodies, members of African civil society organisations, African election experts, human rights specialists, gender and media experts, and representatives of youth organizations.

According to the AU, the Mission is expected to work with state authorities, the Independent Electoral Commission, political parties, the media, civil society organisations and representatives of the international community. 

“The Mission will also interact with other election observation missions deployed to observe the 2024 General Elections in South Africa,” the AU stated in a press statement. 

After South Africans cast their votes, the Uhuru-led Mission is expected release its preliminary findings and recommendations on the conduct of the elections on May 31, 2024. 

Delegates in the Mission are drawn from 24 countries including Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

27 million registered voters in South Africa will vote in what is expected to be the closest vote in three decades of democracy.

More than 50 parties are vying to win seats in parliament, which then appoints the president.

South Africa’s incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader Julius Malema, former President Jacob Zuma (barred by court), John Steenhuisen are among the notable contestants in the heated presidential race.