Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has arrived in Addis Ababa to lead the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) ahead of Ethiopia’s general elections scheduled for June 1, 2026.

Uhuru’s arrival marks the formal commencement of high-level continental oversight of the electoral process, with the African Union deploying a large team of observers to monitor preparations and election-day activities across the country.

The fourth Kenyan president landed in Ethiopia on Friday, May 29, 2026, and was received at Bole International Airport by Ambassador Meles Alem, Director General of European and American Affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has arrived in Addis Ababa to lead the African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission, which has been tasked with monitoring Ethiopia’s 7th General Election,” the Ethiopian national broadcaster, EBC World, said in a statement shared via X.

“Upon his arrival at Bole International Airport, the former president was welcomed by Ambassador Meles Alem, Director General of European and American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

AU and IGAD strengthen electoral oversight

Members of the African Union observer mission, alongside representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), have also arrived in Ethiopia’s capital to support the monitoring exercise.

According to mission officials, the observers have already begun orientation and briefing sessions focused on Ethiopia’s political and legal framework, electoral laws, and AU democratic principles guiding credible elections.

The process is aimed at ensuring transparency, fairness, and stability throughout the voting period.

73 Observers deployed

The African Union has deployed 73 short-term observers drawn from 37 African countries, reflecting what officials describe as a strong continental commitment to African-led electoral monitoring.

The observer team includes ambassadors accredited to the African Union, election management professionals, civil society representatives, election experts, human rights specialists, gender and media experts, as well as youth representatives.

Officials said the diversity of the team is intended to enhance credibility, inclusivity, and technical accuracy in assessing the electoral process.

The observers are expected to be deployed across multiple regions in Ethiopia to monitor key electoral activities, including the opening of polling stations, voting procedures, vote counting, and the eventual tabulation of results.

The mission will also assess adherence to democratic standards and report on the overall integrity and conduct of the election.

IGAD’s participation has further strengthened the regional dimension of the mission, reinforcing cooperation on democratic governance, electoral integrity, and stability within the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia’s upcoming general election is widely viewed as a significant test of the country’s ongoing political and institutional reforms.

It is also being closely watched by regional and international actors as a benchmark for the effectiveness of Pan-African election observation efforts in promoting credible and peaceful democratic transitions.

The African Union mission, under Uhuru Kenyatta’s leadership, is expected to issue preliminary findings shortly after the conclusion of voting, followed by a comprehensive report on the electoral process in the coming weeks.