East African Community Secretariat; Kigali, Rwanda; 01 August 2017:

he Heads of the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Election Observer Missions (EOMs) have hailed the Republic of Rwanda for holding a cost effective presidential election.

Hon. Moody Awori for EAC and Bishop Mary Nkosi (COMESA) further praised the preparedness of the Rwanda National Electoral Commission (NEC) to conduct the election slated for Friday, 4th August, 2017.

Hon. Awori and Bishop Nkosi observed that the 2017 presidential election would not be as expensive as the previous one held in 2010 in that the unit cost had reduced to US$1 from US$3 per voter.

The two leaders further said it was noteworthy that the NEC has just 55 permanent staff and would rely on 70,000 volunteers thereby cutting down heavily on operational expenses.

They further noted that the people of Rwanda were conducting peaceful and orderly campaigns.

Hon. Awori and Bishop Nkosi held a meeting at the Kigali Serena Hotel where the EAC EOM Secretariat is based. Both Mission heads have already met the Chair of the NEC to assess its preparedness for the election.

Hon. Awori informed Bishop Nkosi that members of the EAC EOM had already been trained, provided with observation gadgets and flagged off to the 30 districts of Rwanda.

The former Kenyan Vice President said that a multiple level general election as is the case in most African countries often brings about numerous logistical challenges compounded with the vast geographical sizes.

“In Rwanda, it is notable that there are only three candidates contesting in the presidential election,” he said.

Apart from the EAC, COMESA and the African Union, the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) will observe the Rwandan election.

Hon. Awori and Bishop Nkosi said that it would be ideal if the EAC, COMESA and other African observation missions present their preliminary reports jointly on 6th August, 2017. 

The Rwandan presidential election is will be contested by the incumbent president Paul Kagame of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and journalist Philippe Mpayimana who is running as an independent candidate.

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For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

East African Community Secretariat; Nairobi, Kenya; 01 August 2017:

The East African Community Election Observation Mission to Kenya’s 8th August 2017 General Elections has been launched in Nairobi, Kenya, with an appeal to all Kenyans to vote calmly and uphold peace and tranquillity for the betterment of all Kenyans and the East African region as a whole.

Launching the Mission this morning, the Head of the Mission, Hon. Prof. Edward B. Rugumayo said the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC mandates and tasks the Partner States to enhance universally acceptable principles of good governance that include democracy, rule of law, freedom, observance of human rights and social justice, accountability, transparency, equal opportunities, gender equality; and cooperation in political affairs.

Prof. Rugumayo disclosed that the Mission comprises 60 members, drawn from Electoral Management Bodies, National Legislative Assemblies, members of the Former East African Legislative Assembly, National Human Rights Commissions, Civil Society, EAC Youth Ambassadors and the EAC Secretariat.

Prof. Rugumayo further disclosed that the Community attaches great importance to promotion of democratic governance as a strong foundation for the region’s political and economic integration, which is also the guarantee for political stability in the region.

“Our vision of a prosperous, competitive, secure, stable and politically united East Africa can only be attained through economic growth, peace and security with a stamp of legitimate governments by the citizenry, asserted the Head of the Mission, adding that “this is why we are keen on free and fair, transparent and credible elections in all the Partner States”.

He wished the citizens of Kenya success in choosing their President and all other leaders through this important democratic exercise, saying “it is in this way that the gains in democracy, national development and reconciliation processes made will be consolidated for securing the future of Kenyans“.

“The people of East Africa will continue to accompany the Kenyans in this and other endeavours towards promotion of sustainable homegrown solutions”.

At the same occasion, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, said the Community was proud to be associated with elections in the Partner States under the guidance of the EAC Treaty and decisions of the Council of Ministers. He commended representatives from sister Observer Missions from COMESA, IGAD, AU and EU for attending the occasion.

The Deputy Secretary General urged the EAC Election Observers to be impartial and objective and be guided by the democratic principles and values outlined in the African Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance and the EAC Principles for Election Observation and Evaluation.

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact:

Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2008 Certified