From 6 to 7 July 2026, the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA), together with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), successfully convened the 10th Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Organised within the framework of the PRO-Electoral Integrity Project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the Forum brought together the overwhelming majority of Africa's Election Management Bodies (EMBs), African regional electoral networks, representatives of the African Union Commission, international organisations and electoral experts to strengthen cooperation, foster peer learning and promote democratic governance across the continent.
Convened under the theme "African Citizens Abroad (Diaspora) Voting: Progress, Gaps and Prospects," this year's Forum provided a unique continental platform to examine one of the most important and evolving issues in electoral governance: ensuring the effective participation of African citizens residing abroad in democratic processes. With millions of Africans living outside their countries of origin while maintaining strong social, economic and political ties to their homelands, participants explored how Election Management Bodies can develop credible, inclusive and sustainable out-of-country voting systems that uphold electoral integrity while responding to national contexts and operational realities.
The Forum was jointly organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) through its Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS), the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA) and the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES). As one of the African Union's flagship electoral governance platforms, the Annual Continental Forum of EMBs continues to promote the exchange of experiences, peer learning and the sharing of good practices among Election Management Bodies, while contributing to the implementation of the principles enshrined in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).
The opening ceremony featured remarks by Stefano De Leo, Central Director for Sub-Saharan African Countries at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Jean Mensa, President of AAEA and Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana; Fabio Bargiacchi, Founder and Executive Director of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES); Patience Zanelie Chiradza, Director of Governance and Conflict Prevention at the African Union Commission's Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS); H.E. Ambassador Ali Drouiche Head of the African Union Permanent Delegation in Cairo and Counsellor Hazem Badawi, Chairperson of Egypt's National Elections Authority, representing the host country, The Arab Republic of Egypt.
Over the course of the two-day programme, participants engaged in four thematic sessions examining the conceptual and normative foundations of diaspora voting, the challenges of translating legislation into practice, operational and logistical considerations, and emerging issues shaping the future of out-of-country voting in Africa. The discussions highlighted the importance of transparency, inclusion, political trust, financial sustainability and institutional preparedness in ensuring meaningful electoral participation for citizens living abroad.
Expert contributions were delivered by Ibrahim Turay, Senior Desk Officer at the African Union Commission's Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO); Olufunto Akinduro, Senior Advisor for Electoral Processes at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA); Granville Abrahams, Senior Elections Expert at the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES); and Skye Christensen, Chief Technical Advisor at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova Office. Participants also benefited from the experiences shared by Election Management Bodies from Cabo Verde, Tunisia, South Africa, Egypt, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Senegal, whose presentations illustrated diverse approaches to implementing diaspora voting and addressing operational, legal and financial challenges.
The Forum concluded with a solutions-oriented plenary discussion, bringing together panellists, expert discussants and participants to identify practical recommendations for strengthening diaspora voting across the continent. These exchanges culminated in the adoption of the Forum Communiqué, setting out key recommendations and future actions to support Election Management Bodies in advancing inclusive, transparent and credible out-of-country voting arrangements. The closing ceremony featured remarks by Erastus Mwencha, former Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Member of the ECES Strategic and Advisory Committee; Stefano De Leo; and Patience Zanelie Chiradza, and was moderated by Ambassador Calixte Mbari, Head of the Democracy, Elections and Constitutionalism Division at DPAPS, African Union Commission.
The successful conclusion of the 10th Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies once again demonstrated the value of sustained dialogue, peer learning and cooperation among Africa's electoral authorities. The Association of African Election Authorities remains committed to fostering collaboration among its members and advancing African-led solutions that strengthen electoral integrity, democratic governance and public confidence in electoral processes across the continent.
The Forum will be followed by the 13th General Assembly of the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA) on 8 July 2026, during which members will review the Association's activities, discuss institutional priorities and continue strengthening cooperation among Africa's Election Management Bodies.
The AAEA extends its sincere appreciation to the African Union Commission, the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) for their continued support through the PRO-Electoral Integrity Project, which continues to strengthen cooperation, institutional capacity and the exchange of good practices among Election Management Bodies across Africa.