Addis Ababa, May 29, 2026 (FMC) — Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has arrived in Addis Ababa to lead the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) ahead of Ethiopia’s 7th General Election scheduled for June 1, 2026.
Members of the African Union observer mission, along with representatives of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), have also arrived in the Ethiopian capital to support election observation efforts as the country enters the final days before polling.
The observer mission has already begun orientation and briefing sessions covering Ethiopia’s political and legal framework, the electoral process, and African Union principles aimed at promoting credible, transparent, and peaceful elections.
According to mission officials, the African Union has deployed 73 short-term observers drawn from 37 African countries, underscoring the continent’s commitment to African-led election observation and democratic governance.
The team comprises ambassadors accredited to the African Union, election management professionals, civil society representatives, election experts, human rights specialists, gender and media experts, as well as youth representatives.
Observers are expected to be deployed across various parts of Ethiopia to monitor key election-day activities, including the opening of polling stations, voting procedures, vote counting, and the tabulation of results.
The participation of IGAD adds a regional dimension to the observation effort, reinforcing cooperation on democratic governance, electoral integrity, and stability across the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia’s upcoming general election is widely regarded as a significant democratic exercise, with more than 50 million citizens expected to cast their ballots. The vote is also expected to draw close attention from regional and continental observers as African institutions continue to play an expanding role in supporting credible and transparent electoral processes across the continent.