Karume leads SADC electoral observer mission in Mozambique

MOZAMBIQUE: FORMER President of Zanzibar, Amani Abeid Karume, arrived in Mozambique on Monday, to lead the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM) for the country’s general election scheduled for October 9 this year.

Karume has been appointed to head the mission by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is also the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

In accordance with Article 8 of the SADC Principles and Guidelines, the Chairperson appointed Dr Amani Abeid Karume as the Head of Mission for SEOM Mozambique on September 25 and mandated the SADC Secretariat to coordinate the mission, including the facilitation of observer deployment in the country.

While in Mozambique, Mr Karume will officially launch the mission tomorrow in the capital, Maputo.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mr Karume will meet with various stakeholders, including the Mozambique Electoral Commission (CNE), SADC ambassadors, political parties, civil society organisations, religious institutions and media representatives.

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The statement also revealed that on October 11, Karume is expected to provide a preliminary report on the mission following the completion of the electoral process.

The SEOM will be deployed across the country’s provinces to observe both the pre and post-election phases, as well as polling day, assessing the conduct of the elections in regard to the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

These guidelines emphasise the importance of citizen participation in democracy and development, measures to prevent political violence, intimidation and intolerance and the promotion of equal opportunities for all political parties to access state media, ensuring all citizens have access to election-related information