Bankole Adeoye leads AU’s efforts in strengthening democracy across Africa
Bankole Adeoye, the African Union CommissionER (AUC) for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at a previous conference.
What you need to know:
- Despite ongoing challenges such as political instability and a rise in military coups, the AU has remained resolute in its mission to uphold democracy.
- Ambassador Bankole’s efforts have been praised for ensuring that democratic principles were upheld, even in difficult circumstances.
In a significant step towards deepening democracy in Africa, the African Union Commission (AUC) has reported notable progress in its electoral observation missions conducted throughout 2024, despite a resurgence of military takeovers in several African countries.
According to the AUC, a total of 15 election observation missions were deployed across all five regions of the continent.
These missions, aimed at promoting democratic governance, were led by Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
The AU stated that these missions were conducted in line with key African Union instruments, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the OAU/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa.
The missions covered both parliamentary and presidential elections, with notable engagements in the latest elections, where the process was largely peaceful and followed a democratic course, particularly in Ghana, Botswana and Namibia, and the AU was there to accompany its member states.
A delegation of African Union Commission (AUC) conducting an electoral observation mission in 2024.
“The deployment of these missions reflects our commitment to improving democratic processes and promoting good governance across the continent, based on the slogan of the ‘Africa We Want’,” said the AU’s Chief for Peace, Security and Political Affairs.
Leadership and Influence
Ambassador Bankole’s leadership in spearheading the electoral observation missions has garnered widespread recognition. Many across the continent acknowledge him as a driving force for good governance and democracy, even in challenging contexts. His leadership has been characterised by bold decision-making and an unwavering commitment to democratic principles.
Addressing stakeholders in Accra, Ghana, during the conclusion of the AU’s final observation mission for the year, he emphasised the AU’s focus on continuous electoral improvement.
“For us, the most critical factor is the improvement and consolidation of democracy. No election is perfect, but we can see progress across the continent—from Comoros in January 2024 to Ghana today,” Bankole remarked. He also commended the involvement of civil society and youth in ensuring transparent electoral processes, highlighting their vital role in fostering democratic stability.
The Ghana mission, which included 62 short-term observers and technical experts from 27 African countries, marked a successful end to the AU’s electoral observation activities for the year. The observers, drawn from diverse sectors, assessed the electoral process and reported high levels of credibility and peaceful conduct.
Challenges and Progress
Despite ongoing challenges such as political instability and a rise in military coups, the AU has remained resolute in its mission to uphold democracy.
Ambassador Bankole’s efforts have been praised for ensuring that democratic principles were upheld, even in difficult circumstances.
“Africans want democracy, but it must be shaped in a way that reflects their values and realities,” Bankole asserted, underscoring the AU’s approach to fostering indigenous democratic solutions.
The AU highlighted that the missions not only facilitated peaceful elections but also contributed to the documentation of best practices and identification of areas needing improvement. This aligns with Aspiration 3 of the AU Agenda 2063, which envisions an Africa characterised by good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
As 2025 approaches, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye underscored the African Union’s commitment to strengthening democratic governance across the continent. He called for sustained efforts to build on the gains achieved in 2024, urging member states, intergovernmental institutions and civil society to remain actively engaged in the democratisation process.
“We are making strides in documenting best practices and engaging in meaningful exchanges that will strengthen democratic processes further. Our work is far from done, but we are on the right track,” he said.
Observers noted that the African Union’s achievements in electoral observation throughout 2024 have established a strong precedent for future efforts. With more elections scheduled in the coming year, the AU’s proactive engagement is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring free, fair and credible elections across Africa.
