The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) has named Ethiopia’s former president, Dr Mulatu Teshome, to lead its observer mission in Kenya’s upcoming general election.
Dr. Mulatu, who served as ceremonial president from 2013 to 2018, will lead the team that will be sent to Nairobi at the request of Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
He was succeeded as Ethiopia’s president by career diplomat Sahle-Work Zewde, the country’s first female president. In Ethiopia, the prime minister wields political power, with the president’s role limited to attending ceremonies and functions.
Igad, a regional trade bloc made up of eight countries including Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan, described the invitation as an “honour to support the advance of Kenya’s democratisation process.”
Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of Igad, praised Dr Mulatu’s appointment, saying “he is a well-respected statesman and a distinguished diplomat.”
“The regional organization is pleased to continue to work with the people of Kenya, electoral institution, political leaders, and other observer missions to advance the democratization process,” said Dr. Workneh.
Kenyans head to the polls on August 9.
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