The African Union (AU) has urged the interim authorities in Egypt to ensure the broadest possible participation in the country’s forthcoming elections and to make the polls free, fair and transparent. The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), meeting here at the level of heads of state and government, has also requested the AU Commission (AUC) to engage the Egyptian authorities on how best the AU can monitor and observe the electoral process on the basis of the applicable AU instruments, including dispatching long and short term observer missions. Discussing the current situation in the North African country, the PSC reiterated Africa’s solidarity with the people of Egypt and noted that their aspirations to democracy, the rule of law and well-being were fully consistent with the relevant AU instruments. The Council also reiterated the AU’s commitment, in line with its duty and responsibility towards all its member states, to assist Egypt in overcoming the challenges confronting it in the spirit of pan-Africanism and the search for African solutions to African problems. In a communiqué issued after its 416th session, the PSC commended the AUC Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, for the steps taken to follow up on its past decision, notably the swift establishment of the High-Level Panel for Egypt. The Council commended the Panel and its members, namely former Malian President Alpha Oumar Konaré, former Botswana President Festus Mogae and former Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita, for their commitment and efforts in the discharge of their mandate. According to the communiqué, the PSC noted the steps taken by the interim authorities in the implementation of the road map for the transition that they outlined on 3 July 2013. The road map spelt out the adoption of a new constitution, through a referendum held 14-15 Jan. 2014, and the decision to hold presidential elections which would be followed by legislative elections within a period of 60 days.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 05:35:36 +0000
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