Day: August 13, 2022

The 9 August 2022 general elections were the seventh held since the introduction of multi-party politics in the country in 1991 and the third under the 2010 Constitution. Previous polls, especially in 2007 and 2017, were marred by violence. Thus, while stakeholders made significant efforts to ensure peaceful elections, current political dynamics, particularly the shifting political alliances and the country’s post-independence history of election-related violence, had many citizens speculate about the prospect of tumultuous elections.

The African Union (AU) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) participated in the elections following the invitation by the Government of Kenya and in accordance with their mandate to promote peaceful, credible and democratic elections in their member states. The joint AU-COMESA Election Observation Mission (EOM) assessed the compliance of the 9 August elections against national, regional and international commitments and obligations of Kenya for the conduct of democratic elections. The main preliminary findings of the Mission are:

The 9 August 2022 General Elections were highly competitive, and the campaign was comparatively more peaceful than previous elections. There was a notable shift from ethnocentric presidential campaigns to issue-focused campaigns.

The legal framework governing elections in Kenya was largely adequate for the conduct of credible and democratic elections. In particular, the Judiciary played a critical role in guaranteeing the right to a fair and expeditious hearing, which increased citizens’ trust and confidence in the electoral process. This was evidenced by the willingness of citizens to approach the courts for adjudication. However, last-minute election-related litigations and court decisions necessitated procedural changes, which posed a risk to the smooth implementation of electoral operations. The IEBC had limited time to communicate and implement the changes.

There was a notable improvement in the IEBC’s strategic communication with stakeholders through periodic briefings and social media updates, although this came late into the process.

The IEBC changed its use of technology in the 2022 elections. Specifically, it introduced additional voter identity verification features in the Kenyan Integrated Elections Management Systems (KIEMS) kit to provide for biometric and alphanumeric identification of voters on election day based on lessons learnt from the 2017 elections. The changes to the KIEMS provided the capture and transmission of images of the duly completed presidential election results forms from the polling station to the National Tallying Centre. As a result of these changes to the Results Transmission System (RTS), the provisional presidential election results were publicly accessible on the IEBC portal. The Mission welcomes introducing these transparency measures to improve the integrity of the electoral process.

Although stakeholders had initial concerns about the risk posed by the lack of mobile network coverage in 1,111 polling stations, the IEBC put measures such as using satellite phones to facilitate the transmission of results. The Mission noted that within 24 hours of the close of polling, over 95% of the polling stations had transmitted presidential results forms (form 34A) to the National Tallying Centre.

In line with the AU election observation mission’s recommendations in the 2017 elections, the IEBC was more deliberate this time in its stakeholder engagement. Specifically, the Mission notes the IEBC strategically communicated with stakeholders through periodic briefings and the use of social media. Furthermore, IEBC engaged political parties and candidates to promote peaceful elections by signing a Peace Pledge by the four presidential candidates.

The Mission was informed about the late release of funds to the IEBC by the National Treasury. This impacted the effective implementation of key electoral processes, such as voter registration, verification of the voters’ register and voter education. For instance, while the IEBC accredited several civil society organisations to complement its efforts in conducting voter education, the Mission observed that this commenced late and was not comprehensive.

The AU-COMESA EOM noted that despite the relatively high youth population (18-35), there was low youth registration in the 2022 elections. Only 39.84% (8,812,790) of the total registered voters were youth, a decline of 5.17% from the 2017 figures. Stakeholders consulted by the Mission attributed the low youth participation to the general conception that the votes do not count in elections, lack of trust and confidence in the political system, and the youth’s unemployment and poverty in particular face in Kenya today.

The Mission acknowledged the efforts made by the IEBC to audit the voter register to enhance its accuracy and completeness to build confidence among the stakeholders. Assessment by the Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) auditing firm highlighted key findings arising from the voter register. These relate to the transfers and voter details updates processes, registration of voters’ database and systems controls inclusiveness in the registration of voters and makes recommendations to address reported findings. Although the IEBC embarked on remedial measures to update the voters’ register, there were still concerns about duplications and deceased persons on the register.

The 2022 elections witnessed a high level of participation of political parties and independent candidates. Out of the 90 registered parties, 81 contested the elections. Of the 16,105 candidates, 28.1% were independents. Many independent candidates were reportedly dissatisfied with the candidate selection processes within political parties. Notwithstanding this, the party primaries in 2022 were reportedly more peaceful than in 2017.

The campaign environment was vibrant and largely peaceful. Political parties and candidates used various campaign methods such as mass rallies, door-to-door, distribution of campaign materials, and mainstream and social media, among others. The campaign messages were centred around socio-economic issues rather than on an ethnic basis as was in the past. While the campaigns were largely peaceful and issue-based, hate speeches, misuse of state resources, non-adherence to campaign schedules, violence, and use of criminal gangs were observed. The misuse of state resources created an unlevel playfield, especially for smaller political players. Likewise, the non-adherence to campaign schedules caused clashes among supporters. For example, in Muranga and Nyeri Counties, the Mission’s Long-Term Observers (LTOs) witnessed clashes between the Jubilee Party and UDA supporters during campaign rallies resulting in violence, injuries and destruction of property. Further, the political use of criminal gangs to target political opponents by creating political zones of influence inhibited free campaigns, especially for women candidates.

Freedom of the press was constitutionally guaranteed and ensured. This was seen in practice during the electoral process as media outlets had the space to carry out their duties. However, the effect of misinformation and disinformation from social media platforms on peace and stability remains of concern among many stakeholders.

Kenya’s vibrant civil society monitors and observes key electoral processes, advocates for electoral reforms, and conducts civic and voter education campaigns. The Mission appreciated civil society’s role in the electoral process and in promoting peace and stability in the country. The Mission noted the active involvement of various civil society organisations in the electoral process. The Mission appreciates that CSOs also deployed observers and monitors throughout the electoral process.

The Joint AU-COMESA EOM visited 504 polling stations in 38 counties across the country to observe the opening, voting, closing and counting processes. Of these, 59% were in urban areas, and 41% were in rural areas. Overall, the atmosphere was largely peaceful. The election day operations were reasonably well-conducted and orderly, and professional. The polling staff mostly adhered to the polling procedures.

However, many polling stations observed by the Mission did not open and close on time. In some cases, the opening was delayed by more than two (2) hours. Some of the reasons for the delay include problems with the Kenyan Integrated Elections Management Systems (KIEMS) kit, the late arrival of polling staff and materials, and poor preparations of the polling stations.

Source: African Union

The EU has allocated an additional €4 million to Uganda, to help the country address the influx of new refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and address the food insecurity in Uganda’s Karamoja region, on the border with Kenya.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, said: “Prevailing insecurity in the eastern DRC has led to an increase in the number of refugee arrivals in neighbouring Uganda, which is already hosting the largest refugee population in Africa. This funding will enable our humanitarian partners address the most urgent emergency needs, including supporting those newly displaced. In addition, funding has been allocated to Uganda to help the country address the rapidly deteriorating food security situation in its Karamoja region, where half a million people are in urgent need of food assistance.”

The top-up amount brings the total funding for Uganda to €34 million in 2022.

The security situation in the DRC has resulted in a large number of people seeking refuge in neighbouring Uganda, with more than 57,000 arriving since January 2022. Uganda already hosts the largest refugee population in Africa (1.5 million) and the third largest in the world.

The Karamoja area, in Uganda’s northeast, is currently facing the devastating consequences of the drought affecting the Horn of Africa – often described as “the worse in a generation.” More than 500,000 people are in urgent need of food assistance, with around 100,000 children and pregnant and lactating women being acutely malnourished.

The additional funding allocated by the EU will allow humanitarian partners to provide food and nutrition assistance, including immediate life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable.

Source: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1097th meeting held on 4 August 2022, on Updated Briefing on the Situation in the Horn of Africa.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling its previous decisions, in particular, Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1045 (2021)] of the Council’s 1045th meeting held on 8 November 2021 on the situation in Ethiopia;

Taking note of the opening statement by H.E. Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, Permanent Representative of the Republic of The Gambia to the AU as the PSC Chairperson for the month of August 2022 and the statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; the Comprehensive updated briefing by H.E. President Olusegun Obasanjo, the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, as well as the statement by the Acting Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the AU, H.E. Ambassador Nardos Ayalew Belay;

Committed to silencing the guns in Africa by the year 2030, to create the required conditions for the realization of Agenda 2063, pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Assembly Decision [Ext/Assembly/AU/Dec.1(XIV)], adopted by the 14th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union on Silencing the Guns in Africa, on 6 December 2020;

Reaffirming its commitment to respect the sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in line with the African Union Constitutive Act; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council,

Takes note of the comprehensive updated briefing by the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, H.E. President Olusegun Obasanjo; commends him for his sacrifices and commitment, as well as for the progress registered thus far, and reaffirms the commitment of the PSC to continue to support his efforts until lasting peace, security and stability is restored in Ethiopia;

Commends the AU High Representative for the direct engagements between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF); and requests the AU Commission to mobilize all required resources to further enhance the peace-making efforts of the High Representative;

Reiterates that there can be no viable military solution to the current situation in the Tigray Region and, in this regard, encourages the Federal Government of Ethiopia and TPLF to place the supreme interests of Ethiopia and its people above all else and embrace inclusive political dialogue as the only viable approach towards finding a consensual solution to the current situation;

Welcomes and commends the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the TPLF for the confidence building measures they have so far undertaken, including the commitment to guarantee humanitarian access to the affected populations, the unilateral declaration of a humanitarian ceasefire, the national dialogue and reconciliation process, the withdrawal of troops from Afar, as well as other related measures being taken by the two sides;

Further commends the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the TPLF for their explicit consent to commit to a negotiated political solution through an all-inclusive genuine dialogue and welcomes the formation by the Federal Government of Ethiopia of its negotiating team as a step in the right direction towards the restoration of lasting peace and security in Ethiopia; and urges the TPLF to take similar steps;

While underlining the centrality of African solutions to African problems anchored on an AU-led mediation process, expresses profound appreciation to all partners for their continued support and encourages them to scale up their support for the AU-led mediation process, under the leadership of the High Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, as the only viable and effective approach towards finding a negotiated lasting solution to the situation in Ethiopia. In addition, urges all Member States to intensify their support to the efforts of the High Representative in the quest for peace and stability in Ethiopia in particular and the Horn of Africa as a whole; and

Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Source: African Union

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA — Somali Federal government leaders have called upon the political leaders in Somaliland to maintain stability and resolve differences through dialogue. Recent protests and clashes in the breakaway region killed five people.

In a short video released by the president’s office Friday night, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on the Somaliland ruling party and opposition leaders to resolve their political differences through dialogue to avoid instability.

Mohamud urged the leaders to avoid further violence and resolve their differences themselves using processes they have in place, or the region will require foreign intervention to stem the election dispute.

He says there must be peace, administration, law and order, and that is something very valuable – a value that becomes even more important when it’s lacking. He says he is calling on the political leaders on both sides, traditional leaders, religious leaders, civil society leaders and different public groups to resolve the outstanding issues through negotiations.

He called on the upper house of Somaliland, known as Guurti, to stand up in resolving the election dispute that resulted in a massive protest against the current president Muse Bihi Abdi.

Thursday’s protests and clashes between opposition supporters and the security forces claimed the lives of at least five people and wounded 100 others, including numerous security officials.

Although the situation appears to have calmed down a bit since late Thursday, the opposition says the protests will continue.

The constitutional mandate of the region’s upper house already has expired, and the president’s term in office is about to end in November, but the prospect is slim of holding the election.

Civil society activists in Somaliland who spoke with VOA Saturday called on the government to respect the rights of citizens in accordance with national and international law — and to resolve the dispute through political means.

Guleid Ahmed Jama, is a Hargeisa-based law practitioner and civil society activist. He told VOA that lawmakers from the House of Representatives are returning from recess to seek a political solution to the election dispute.

Jama said he is calling upon the disputed sides to come together via a political dialogue and enter negotiations that Somaliland is known for in order to create political tolerance. He says he is seeking the protection of rights in accordance with the Somaliland constitution and international law, that no harm comes to civilians and that peace and stability is maintained.

Somaliland’s international partners include the U.S. and Denmark, who are also calling for dialogue and a peaceful solution in the breakaway region.

Somaliland is a self-ruled region of northern Somalia that declared independence in 1991 but has not received recognition from the international community.

Source: Voice of America

NAIROBI — Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga led Kenya’s presidential race, official election results showed Saturday, pushing Deputy President William Ruto into second place.

With just over 26% of votes counted, Odinga had 54% and Ruto had 45%, according to results provided by the Kenyan election commission and displayed on a large screen at a national tallying center in the capital, Nairobi.

East Africa’s wealthiest nation and most vibrant democracy held presidential, parliamentary and local elections Tuesday.

Ruto and Odinga are in a tight race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has reached his two-term limit. Kenyatta fell out with Ruto after the last election and has endorsed Odinga.

Official vote tallying has been proceeding slowly, fueling public anxiety.

Election commission chairman Wafula Chebukati blamed party agents, who are allowed to scrutinize results forms before they are added to the final tally.

“Agents in this exercise cannot proceed … as if we are doing a forensic audit,” he told a news briefing Friday.

“We are not moving as fast as we should. This exercise needs to be concluded as soon as possible.”

Representatives from Odinga’s and Ruto’s coalitions did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Reuters news agency and other media outlets have been tallying results forms from 291 constituencies posted on the election commission website. These have not yet been verified, and this tally is running well ahead of the official one.

As of 1200 GMT, Reuters had tallied 237 forms, which showed Ruto in the lead with nearly 53% of the vote, compared to just over 46% for Odinga. Two other candidates had less than 1% between them.

Nineteen other forms could not be included in the count because they were unreadable or were missing information.

The forms Reuters is tallying are preliminary and the results subject to change. After the forms are uploaded to the commission’s website, Kenyan election law requires that they are physically brought to the national tallying center, where party representatives can examine them for any discrepancies.

The process was designed as a safeguard against the kind of rigging allegations that have triggered violence after previous polls. More than 1,200 people were killed after a disputed 2007 election and more than 100 killed after a disputed 2017 election.

The winning candidate must receive 50% of the national vote plus one, and at least 25% of the vote from 24 of 47 counties.

The commission has until Tuesday to declare a winner.

Source: Voice of America