Ex-Nigerian president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is set to leave for Gaborone, Botswana, on Friday to lead the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) for the forthcoming general elections slated for October 30, 2024.
This confirmation comes from a statement released by his Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze.
Jonathan, esteemed for his dedication to promoting democratic processes in Africa, will head a diverse team comprising members from the African Union Permanent Representative Committee, Pan African Parliament (PAP), African Governance Platform, Election Management Bodies, independent election experts, and representatives from civil society organizations, including women and youth groups.
During his stay in Gaborone, the former president is scheduled to engage in consultations with various key stakeholders, including Botswana’s country leadership, political parties, civil society, media groups, and the diplomatic community.
His efforts will focus on fostering a credible, transparent, and peaceful electoral atmosphere before, during, and after the election day.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Mahamat, highlighted in his letter to Jonathan that the former president’s “pan-African credentials and solid commitment to democracy and credible electoral processes in Africa” made him a prime candidate for leading such missions.
This year’s general election in Botswana marks the 13th since the nation gained independence in 1965, featuring the election of 61 Members of Parliament and 609 Local Council Seats.
For Jonathan, this mission represents the fifth time he has led AU election observation teams across Africa since 2015, with previous missions in Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
Since exiting office in 2015, Jonathan has also spearheaded various international election observation missions under different organizations, including the Commonwealth, ECOWAS, WAEF, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), and International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP).
