Minister Nkoana-Mashabane arrives in Mauritius

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius, where she has joined the SADC Election Observation Mission (SEOM) in observing the conduct of the 2014 National Assembly elections taking place today. 

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane is heading the SEOM on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, who is also the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. 

The Organ is responsible for the maintenance of peace and stability in the SADC region, of which Mauritius is a Member State. 

The SEOM to the 2014 National Assembly elections in Mauritius was launched by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane on 1 December 2014. 

At the time, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said: "The presence and deployment of SEOMs helps to enhance the credibility of the electoral process and encourages the development of a culture of freedom of expression, association and fairness, which should be part and parcel of every election." 

The SEOM is guided in its mission by the provisions of the SADC Treaty, the SADC Protocol on Political, Defence and Security Cooperation and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. 

In addition to Mauritius, South Africa has led SADC Election Observer Missions (SEOMs) to Mozambique and Botswana in October 2014 and Namibia last month. South Africa will lead SEOMs to Zambia and Lesotho during 2015. 

It is expected that the SEOM to the 2014 National Assembly Elections in Mauritius will release its preliminary statement on Thursday, 11 December 2014. – SAnews.gov.za