Lusaka, Monday 9th August, 2021

The former President of Sierra Leone who is currently leading the African Union Elections Observation Mission to Zambia, HE Ernest Bai Koroma, has on Monday, 9th August, 2021, had consultations with Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu, and other stakeholders on a variety of issues bordering on the conduct of peaceful, fair transparent and credible elections. The AU Head of Mission (HoM) appraised the Zambian leader of the Mission’s mandate and provided details on its composition and activities.

“The Mission comprised 34 observers who would be deployed in all ten regions of the country,” said former president Koroma. The HoM also reiterated AU’s solidarity with and commitment to supporting the people of Zambia for peaceful and credible electoral outcome.

Along with AU’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace & Security, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, former President Koroma also held fruitful discussions with the Chairperson of the Zambian Electoral Commission, Justice Chulu and his Commissioners, as well as the Deputy Inspector General of Police. Throughout these consultations, the AU Commissioner highlighted Zambia’s enviable history of peaceful political and democratic transitions since independence. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye also noted Zambia’s legacy of supporting other African countries during the fight against apartheid.

“Zambia has always been a beacon of hope and a shining example of peace and democratic progress on the continent and I therefore urge you to uphold this enviable record throughout this exercise,” he said.

Former President Koroma and his team will continue with his engagements with opposition parties, civil society, the media, international organizations and other stakeholders ahead of the 12th August 2021 polls.