On Saturday, June 8, our office had the honor of hosting the Commissioner for Political and Peace Affairs of the African Union (AU), H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, along with his senior team. This meeting, following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between ECES and the AU on 20 May 2021, marked a significant milestone in our ongoing partnership, highlighting our shared commitment to promoting peace, democracy, and political stability across African Union member states.
Commissioner Bankole also expressed his profound satisfaction with the progress and impact of our collaborative efforts thus far. He emphasized our partnership's critical role in advancing peace and political stability within the AU's member countries. His positive feedback reinforces the value of our joint initiatives and encourages us to continue striving for excellence.
During the meeting, we reaffirmed our dedication to strengthening and expanding our collaboration. We discussed the continuation and improvement of technical support to AU Member States through the second phase of our joint Project 'Pro Electoral Integrity'.
The project is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and via the African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security aims at contributing to peace and security through the development of a common culture of resilience and shared values around integrity in electoral processes, by strengthening the capacities of African EMBs in conducting their own credible and inclusive elections.
The ”Pro Electoral Integrity” Project was conceived and designed to provide technical support to a broad range of electoral stakeholders on the African continent with the overall objective of contributing to the conduct of credible, and inclusive elections in African Union Member States fostering the prevention of electoral conflicts and promotion of electoral integrity.
Looking to the future, we agreed to draft and submit new project proposals to the EU and its member states. These proposals aim to build on our current successes while addressing emerging challenges in the region. Our shared vision is to combine our expertise and resources to promote sustainable development and lasting peace in Africa.
Inspired by the positive outcomes of this meeting, we are eager to continue working closely with the AU. Together, we aim to make meaningful contributions to Africa's political and social landscape, ensuring a brighter and more stable future for all.
Our partnership with the AU is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of unified efforts in achieving common goals. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and remain committed to making a positive impact across the continent.
