Defending Citizen Election Observer Rights in Africa

Pushing Back Against Closing Spaces and Administrative Burdens

Reflecting the global democratic decline, observer rights are under threat around the world and across Africa. In many countries, political space is closing and restrictive laws and regulations are being used to undermine the ability of citizen organizations to observe electoral processes. The development of independent, non-partisan citizen observer organizations in every region of the world is one of the most important democratic achievements of the past 40 years. Citizen observers across Africa are pushing back against this trend to promote more inclusive, accountable and transparent elections.

Held on March 29, 2023 in Lusaka Zambia, this event was sponsored by the Elections Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA), East and Horn of Africa Observer Network (E-HORN), the West Africa Election Observer Network (WAEON) and the African Election Observer Network (AfEONet) with the Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) of Zambia serving as the local host. This event was organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in partnership with and financial support from the Open Society Foundation - Africa (OSF-Africa).

00:00-01:01 Introductory Music
01:01-10:17 Father Muyebe, Spokesperson, Christian Churches Monitoring Group Zambia (Opening Remarks)
10:17-16:10 Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders
16:10-1:05:52 Citizen Observer Rights in Africa (Panel)
1:05:52-1:16:31 Khabele Matlosa, former African Union Director of Political Affairs
1:16:32-1:23:47 Barbara Smith, Carter Center VP of Peace Programs
1:23:47-1:34:30 Richard Klein, NDI Global Elections Director
1:34:30-1:48:24 Sipho Malunga, Open Societies Foundation-Africa's Director of Programmes
1:48:24-2:08:52 Dr. Monde Muyangwa, USAID Assistant Administrator for Africa
2:08:53-2:19:00 Father Muyebe (Closing Remarks)