EU to send election observers to Angola, Rwanda

Aug 1, 2008, 11:47 GMT

Brussels - The European Union is to send over 170 officials to observe elections in Angola and Rwanda in September, the EU's executive announced in Brussels on Friday.

The bloc is to send 92 observers to Angola for parliamentary elections on September 5, and 79 observers to Rwanda for elections on September 15-18, the European Commission said.

'These elections are crucial for the strengthening of Angolan democracy ... We are confident that (the EU's) assessment will boost the confidence of the Angolan people in the process,' EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.

'Rwanda still faces the challenge of the reconciliation process, due to the country's legacy of genocide. That is why the EU has been actively engaged in support of good governance, justice reform and the rule of law,' EU Aid Commissioner Louis Michel said.

Preliminary observation teams have already been sent to both countries to prepare their work. They will be reinforced by groups of EU experts and diplomats ahead of the polls, the commission said.

The EU is a regular observer of elections around the world and has committed long-term funds to boosting democratic practices in Africa.

The union has pledged 1.7 million euros (2.65 million dollars) to finance the elections in Rwanda. It is set to spend 4.6 million euros on the two observation missions.

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