Former Dominican Foreign Minister Francine Baron has been selected to join a Commonwealth Observer Group, led by Dr. Kenny Anthony, to monitor the upcoming general elections in Mozambique taking place on October 9. The group will engage in observing the entire electoral process and ensuring its credibility, reflecting the Commonwealth’s ongoing commitment to uphold democratic principles across its member states.
Former Foreign Minister of Dominica, Francine Baron, has been appointed to the Commonwealth Observer Group set to monitor the upcoming general elections in Mozambique. This notable group is under the leadership of Dr. Kenny Anthony, the former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, and will be present in Mozambique from October 1 to October 15 to oversee essential electoral processes, including the opening, voting, closing, counting, and results management for the elections scheduled on October 9. These elections will encompass presidential, national, and provincial positions. The announcement regarding the Observer Group was made in London by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, who recognized the Mozambique National Election Commission’s invitation to conduct this observation. “Mozambique is a valued member of the Commonwealth family, and this election observation exercise is testament to our commitment to supporting them,” stated Secretary-General Scotland. She emphasized the significance of the Commonwealth’s role in promoting electoral integrity, highlighting its extensive history of observing over 200 elections across more than 40 countries. In this pivotal year for global democracy, she expressed confidence that the team of observers will maintain the highest standards throughout their mission, enabling the citizens of Mozambique to exercise their democratic rights in a credible and transparent manner, aligned with the Commonwealth Charter’s principles. Dr. Anthony affirmed that it was a privilege to lead the Commonwealth mission. He expressed gratitude for the diverse expertise represented by the eleven selected observers, who hail from various fields such as elections, law, civil society, politics, human rights, and media. Upon their arrival on October 1, the observers will engage with key stakeholders, including the election management body, political parties, media representatives, civil society groups, and members of the international diplomatic community. From October 7, the team will split into smaller groups to observe electoral preparations across Mozambique’s provinces and interact with local stakeholders. On election day, they will thoroughly monitor all electoral procedures, ultimately issuing a preliminary statement regarding their findings on October 11, 2024. The Commonwealth Observer Group has been tasked with evaluating the credibility of the electoral process and determining the extent to which the elections comply with Mozambique’s commitments to democratic standards, legislation, and relevant regional and international agreements. The members of the Commonwealth Observer Group include the following representatives, listed alphabetically by country: – 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, Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH), Malaysia – Zainab Bala, policy communication specialist and journalist, Nigeria – ‘Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki, gender expert, and 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. Additionally, it is important to note that the Commonwealth has a history of observing general elections in Dominica. Following the last general election in December 2022, which resulted in a victory for the Dominica Labour Party led by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the Commonwealth Observer Mission reported that the election reflected the “collective will” of the voters in Dominica.
The article discusses the appointment of Francine Baron as part of a Commonwealth Observer Group assigned to monitor the forthcoming general elections in Mozambique. This group plays a vital role in ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and transparently, a mission underscored by the Commonwealth’s commitment to promoting democracy and electoral integrity. The article also mentions the history of election observation by the Commonwealth, emphasizing its long-standing involvement in supporting fair electoral processes globally.
In conclusion, Francine Baron’s role in the Commonwealth Observer Group exemplifies the dedication of international entities to uphold democratic processes in member nations like Mozambique. The group, guided by experienced leaders, aims to ensure the credibility and transparency of the electoral process through careful observation and engagement with various stakeholders. Their comprehensive approach highlights the significance of fair elections, not just in Mozambique but as a broader commitment to democratic values upheld by the Commonwealth.
Original Source: dominicanewsonline.com
