ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has described Ethiopia’s general election as a significant democratic exercise whose success could send a powerful signal across Africa, as voters headed to polling stations on Monday under the watch of African Union observers.
Kenyatta, who leads the African Union Election Observation Mission, said the vote represents more than a national political event, arguing that democratic progress in Ethiopia carries implications for the wider continent.
“Voting is the exercise of citizens having their democratic right to choose their representatives and their leaders,” Kenyatta said after visiting polling stations in Addis Ababa. “Democracy is something that we in the African continent would like to entrench so that we have true representation, a feeling of inclusion, and the ability of people to choose the leaders of their choice.”
The former Kenyan leader stressed that the African Union remains committed to promoting democratic principles and credible electoral processes across member states.
A continental test
Kenyatta said Ethiopia’s role as host of the African Union gives the election added significance.
“Ethiopia being the capital of this great continent, a success here resounds across the continent,” he said. “We are wishing the people of Ethiopia well, and we hope and trust that the process shall be in order.”
His remarks come as millions of Ethiopians participate in the country’s seventh general election, a vote closely watched by domestic and international observers amid ongoing political reforms and efforts to strengthen democratic institutions.
Early turnout draws optimism
Speaking from polling stations in the capital, Kenyatta noted the early voter turnout and expressed hope that participation would increase throughout the day.
“So far, it is quite early in the morning, and at this polling station people are already out,” he said. “As the day progresses, we hope more and more will come out and participate and exercise their right to elect leaders of their choice.”
The African Union observation mission is expected to assess the conduct of the election, including voter participation, polling procedures, transparency, and compliance with democratic standards.
Democracy as a work in progress
While acknowledging that elections across Africa often face challenges, Kenyatta said democratic systems improve through experience and continued public participation.
“We agree that in some instances there are challenges,” he said. “But we hope that with each election we can become better and better as we move along.”
He added that a successful electoral process in Ethiopia would help reinforce confidence in democratic governance across the continent and project “the kind of message that we want to be coming out of Africa.”
The African Union mission is expected to release its preliminary findings after the completion of voting and the initial stages of vote counting.