The 10th General Assembly of the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA) was held on Wednesday, 16th November, 2022 in Maputo, Mozambique. This year’s meeting marked the first time in three years since the General Assembly convened in November 2019.
Founded in 1997, the AAEA is a non-partisan, peer-to-peer continental platform that fosters cross-learning, information-dissemination, resource-sharing, standard-setting, and technical assistance among Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in Africa. The AAEA works to build capacities of member EMBs to administer free and fair elections in their respective countries; hold each other accountable to best practice in elections management; and wield an influential, global voice on elections. The Secretariat of the AAEA is housed at the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
The General Assembly meeting was held following a two-day 7th Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies in Maputo, organized by the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS) of the African Union Commission in collaboration with the AAEA, and hosted by the Electoral Commission of Mozambique.
This year’s General Assembly meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Wafula Chebukati, President of the General Assembly and Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya, and Mrs Jean Mensa, President of the Executive Committee, and Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana. Special remarks were given by Right Reverend Bishop Carlos Simao Matsinhe, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Mozambique.
Chairpersons, Commissioners and representatives of EMBs from over 25 countries in Africa were brought together for the meeting. Representatives from partner organizations such as the African Union Commission, ECOWAS and the South African Development Community (SADC) were also in attendance.
The meeting sought to recommit to the ideals of the Association after a long lull due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the issues discussed were the efforts made by the Executive Secretariat to revitalize the Association, such as the relocation to a new office, the revamping of the AAEA website and the production of a quarterly e-newsletter.
Members were also updated on the AAEA Solidarity Mission to Kenya, undertaken to show support to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Kenya during the General Elections in August 2022.
The meeting also charted a new way forward for the AAEA with the adoption of the 2023 Workplan.
Elections were held for the various positions within the Executive Committee and the General Assembly Bureau. Mrs Jean Mensa was re-elected as President of the Executive Committee, while Right Reverend Bishop Carlos Matsinhe was elected as President of the General Assembly.
Ultimately, the AAEA’s 10th General Assembly meeting was successful. Several members voiced their enthusiasm for the revival of the Association, and committed to the fulfilment of its mandate as a vital source of support to EMBs in Africa.
AAEA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUREAU – 2023
Executive Committee President
Mrs. Jean Mensa
Chairperson, Electoral Commission of Ghana
Executive Committee Vice-President
Mrs. Birtukan Midekssa
Chairperson, National Election Board of Ethiopia
General Assembly President
Right Rev. Carlos Matsinhe
Chairman, National Election Commission, Mozambique
General Assembly Vice-President
Dr. Emad Al-Sayah, High National Election Commission of Libya
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
West Africa
Benin
Northern Africa
Tunisia
Southern Africa
Malawi
Central Africa
DR Congo
East Africa
Kenya
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