Uganda is set to host the first ever East Africa Post-Election Conference, which is slated for 24th– 25th August, 2023, at Speke Resort and Conference Center Munyonyo, Kampala.
The two-day conference is organized by the African Electoral Alliance (AEA).
According to AEA officials, the conference will assess the administration of the regional general elections and develop recommendations for further reforms.
AEA officials also stated that the recent political situation calls for concerted efforts to resolve it. The organizers hope to facilitate discussion on how the region can cope in the wake of recent electoral swings as well as current global technological advancements.
“By some measures, the events of recent years have seemed to sound the death knell for electoral democracy across East Africa. Nefarious actors continue to sow discontent after every election, destabilizing peace and development. But there have also been compelling signs of strength: several recent elections saw the peaceful ejection of an illiberal system; protesters are standing up despite brutal crackdowns. In countries like Kenya, recent post-election violence has proved to be a threat to peace and development. Citizens’ groups are experimenting with exciting forms of democratic renewal that demand accountability. Collectively, these kinds of developments are cause for cautious optimism that better times lie ahead if we tackle the matter head on,” the AEA officials said.
The officials also further explained that special emphasis will be placed on post-election violence, electoral democracy, opportunities for the next post-election cycle, and the necessity of establishing an effective dialogue platform aimed at improving electoral practices in the region.
The conference has identified key challenges that affect the region in terms of peace, democracy, and developments, and they have put them under three pillars for what this conference can look at.
AEA seeks to produce comparative knowledge in electoral process, leadership, capacity building, constitution building, democracy, and development, as well as on several cross-cutting issues.
Over 500 representatives including policy and law makers, members of Electoral commissions across East Africa, representatives of Governments, political parties, the international community, private sector, media and civil society are expected to attend the conference.
