Francine Baron Appointed to Commonwealth Observer Group for Mozambique Elections

Francine Baron has been appointed to the Commonwealth Observer Group for the upcoming general elections in Mozambique, led by Dr. Kenny Anthony. The group will monitor the election processes from October 1-15, 2024, focusing on ensuring credible and transparent elections in line with democratic standards. Eleven experts from various Commonwealth nations will assist in this oversight, with preliminary findings to be reported post-elections on October 11.

Former Foreign Minister Francine Baron has been appointed to the Commonwealth Observer Group that will monitor the forthcoming general elections in Mozambique. This group, led by Dr. Kenny Anthony, the former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, will be present in Mozambique from October 1 to October 15, overseeing various stages of the election process scheduled for October 9. These elections will include presidential, national, and provincial voting. The team’s formation was announced by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland in London, who noted the invitation from Mozambique’s National Election Commission for the Commonwealth to observe the elections. She emphasized the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting member states, stating, “Mozambique is a valued member of the Commonwealth family, and this election observation exercise is testament to our commitment to supporting them.” Dr. Anthony expressed his honor in leading this mission alongside eleven diverse experts from across the Commonwealth, each bringing unique experience from areas such as law, civil society, and human rights. Upon arrival on October 1, the observers will engage with key stakeholders, including the election management body, political entities, civil society, and media representatives. The Commonwealth Secretariat indicated that starting on October 7, observers will be dispatched to various provinces to monitor election preparations. On election day, they will observe crucial processes such as the opening, voting, closing, counting, and results management, followed by a preliminary findings report on October 11. The mandate for the observers includes evaluating the integrity of the electoral process against the standards for democratic elections expected by Mozambique and aligned with regional and international commitments. The roster of the Commonwealth Observer Group features: – Francine Baron, Former Foreign Minister, Dominica – Pauline Welsh, former Director of Legal Affairs, Electoral Office of Jamaica, Jamaica – Charles Keter, former Senator and Minister, Kenya – Dr. Karabo Mokobocho-Mohlakoana, Commissioner, Independent Electoral Commission, Lesotho – Professor Danwood Chirwa, Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town, Malawi – Beverly Joeman, human rights activist and former Vice Chair of the Election Committee of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH), Malaysia – Zainab Bala, policy communication specialist and journalist, Nigeria – ‘Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki, gender expert, founder of Women’s Action Group for Change and filmmaker, Tonga – Alan Kasujja, host, Africa Daily Podcast, BBC News Uganda – Dr. Alex Vines, Director, Africa Program, Chatham House, United Kingdom – Muleta Kapatiso, activist, lawyer, and development practitioner, Zambia Historically, the Commonwealth has consistently observed general elections in Dominica. Following the last general election in December 2022, where the Dominica Labour Party won under Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the Commonwealth Observer Mission concluded that the elections reflected the will of the Dominican voters.

The Commonwealth Observer Group is a function of the Commonwealth aimed at enhancing electoral integrity and democratization by observing elections in member states. The Group’s presence in Mozambique serves not only as a support mechanism for the nation in conducting fair elections but also underscores the Commonwealth’s broader commitment to democratic processes across its member states. Mozambique’s political landscape is characterized by its engagement with international organizations to ensure that electoral exercises are transparent and credible. By fostering an environment of electoral participation, the Commonwealth aims to bolster democratic values, thereby affecting positive political change.

In conclusion, the appointment of Francine Baron to the Commonwealth Observer Group highlights the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting democratic practices in Mozambique. This mission aims to uphold the principles of fair and transparent elections while involving a diverse group of experts in the electoral process. The observers will play a vital role in assessing the electoral landscape to ensure that the will of the Mozambican people is effectively represented in the forthcoming general elections.

Original Source: dominicanewsonline.com