The Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) as a Regional Economic Community (REC) was officially invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti to observe the upcoming elections scheduled for the 22nd February, 2013.
Accordingly, the Secretariat organized a short term observer mission composed of one representative from each IGAD member state i.e. Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda and five participants from the Secretariat to observe the election.
The main objective of the observer mission is to witness the conduct of the election process in accordance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations of the country and to draw lessons that could contribute to the promotion of democratic elections.
The mission is organized in a team of two, each to be deployed in four areas with the exception of Djibouti City where there will be a four-member team. The areas of deployment include Djibouti City, Arta, Tadjourah, Dikhil and Ali Sabieh.
The observer team will be led by H.E. Professor Merga Bekana, Chairperson of the Election Board of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, who will be the Head and Spokesperson of the observer team.
The Head of the IGAD observer mission shall meet with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other key stakeholders to conduct consultations and briefings.
The IGAD Secretariat in Djibouti shall be the observer mission’s Coordination Secretariat.
Contact address:
Peace & Security Division
IGAD Secretariat
PO Box: 2653, Djibouti
Tel: +253.21.35.40.50
Email: zeinab.mahmoud@igad.int
