The African Center for Governance, Peace and Transition Studies participated in the consultative meeting hosted by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Djibouti on October 14–15, with the participation of delegations from member states, academics, and experts.
Dr. Mahmoud Zain Al-Abidin, Director of the African Center for Governance, Peace and Transition Studies and the Center’s representative, stated that the meeting aimed to establish a regional network of bodies and institutions responsible for election management in the region’s countries to enhance their efficiency in managing electoral processes. He added that the meeting also sought to create a platform to help countries exchange expertise, experiences, information, equipment, and devices, provide technical and institutional support, and share best lessons learned and practical applications from both within and outside the IGAD region.
The opening session was addressed by Mr. Mohamed Abdi Ware, Deputy Executive Secretary of IGAD, and Commander Abebe Muluneh, Director of the Peace and Security Division at IGAD. The meeting featured several presentations by specialized experts covering election governance and integrity, enhancing voter confidence, and a presentation on elections as a mechanism for achieving peace, stability, and democratic governance, along with best regional and international practices. The presentations also included a proposal to establish the sub-regional network, a roadmap for its creation, and its scope of work.
Furthermore, the meeting addressed current challenges and emerging trends in the African context, such as the knowledge explosion and artificial intelligence, the participation of youth, displaced persons, and out-of-country voters, as well as ways to enhance security and stability following the conduct of elections.
