International News

NAIROBI, Aug 7 (APP/Xinhua): The African Union (AU) on Monday said
that the success of Kenya’s Tuesday elections is key to regional stability.
Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to the 2017 Kenya general elections Thabo Mbeki told a media briefing in Nairobi that by holding the elections, Kenya will demonstrate its respect for the African Charter on Democracy which commits AU Member States to conduct regular, transparent free and fair elections.
“Successful polls in Kenya will help promote democratic governance in the region,” Mbeki said.
“We are therefore encouraged by the commitment made by all stakeholders
directly and publicly to do everything they can to help ensure free and fair
elections due to importance of the elections,” he added.
“Whatever dispute that might arise during the electoral process, there are ways to resolve without resorting to violence,” Mbeki said.
“We don’t visualize any need for intervention but in any eventuality we are ready to assist Kenya in any way possible,” he added.
The observer mission also urged Kenyans not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause violence. “The enemy of Kenya is poverty and not someone from a different political affiliation or ethnic group,” he said.
Mbeki, who is also the former South African President, said that they have received an assurance from government that all Kenyans will feel safe and secure to vote and will not be subjected to any form of violence and harassment.
Mbeki noted that his team of observers are satisfied with the preparations done by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“In all our interactions with IEBC, they have assured us of the integrity of the elections,” he added.
Mbeki noted that from their observations the Kenya Integrated Elections
Managements System (KIEMS) that will be used to identity voters and for
transmission of the results will work smoothly.