The Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) yesterday unveiled its official observer mission two days ahead of the Parliamentary elections. The ceremony took place at Serena Hotel in Kigali.

The team from six COMESA member states, is made up of people with diverse professional and political skills as well as proven integrity and track records in international elections observation.

The leader of the observer team, Lazarus O. Amayo, said that the main objective of the mission is the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law in the region which will lead to development.

"We are convinced that a democratic Rwanda is conducive for foreign and domestic investments that will translate into economic benefits for her people through employment opportunities and technology transfer,” he noted.

"It is a sign of solidarity of the people of the COMESA region with their brothers and sisters in the Republic of Rwanda as they re-affirm their commitment to the democratic system of governance,” Amayo explained. The Technical Advisor and Mission Coordinator, Lucie Kasanga, said that they are here to witness and not to pass judgment.

"We believe that democracy is an ongoing process and not an event that ends with the casting of the ballot paper. So the observation of these Parliamentary elections is not to pass judgment but to contribute to the transparency of the electoral process,” Kasanga underscored.

Since the announcement of the 2008 Parliamentary elections, COMESA observers based in the country have closely followed the roadmap of the elections and will continue collecting and appraising information throughout the electoral process in the country.

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