Brussels, 26/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - In a press release from the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy services on Tuesday 26 July, the EU indicated that it would be sending observers to the presidential election in Gabon planned for 27 August 2016. This request for observers was made by the Gabonese authorities and is the first of its kind.
Mariya Gabriel MEP (EPP, Bulgaria) will head the EU's election observation mission (EOM). She has just been appointed by the EU High Representative and will travel to the capital city of Gabon, Libreville on Wednesday 27 July.
In a press release, Federica Mogherini stated: “The EU is standing by Gabon in its efforts to consolidate democracy. It is important that all the different stakeholders work together to hold transparent, inclusive and credible elections”. Gabriel added “The Central African region needs examples of a free and democratic elections more than ever”.
The EU's EOM core team has been in Libreville since 12 July. 22 long-term observers will be deployed in the country on 27 July. 22 short-term observers and a European Parliament delegation will also come to lend a hand during the week before the country goes to the ballot. The EU's EOM will be collaborating with other international observation missions, such as the African Union. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)