Consideration of the AU Commission Report on Elections in Africa for the Period of Jan - June 2025
Date | 3 July 2025
Tomorrow (4 July), the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) will convene its 1288th Session to consider the mid-year report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on elections in Africa, covering the period between January and June 2025.
Following the opening statement of the Chairperson of the PSC for the month, Rebecca Otengo, Permanent Representative of Uganda to the AU, Bankole Adeoye, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), is expected to present the report. Statements are also expected from the representatives of Member States that organised elections during the reporting period.
As per the PSC’s decision from its 424th session in March 2014, which mandates periodic updates on African electoral developments, the Chairperson presents a mid-year elections report. The previous update was delivered during the 1255th PSC session on January 24, 2025, and covered electoral activities from July to December 2024. Tomorrow’s briefing will similarly provide accounts of elections conducted from January to June 2025 – covering elections held in Burundi, Comoros and Gabon –while also outlining the electoral calendar for the second half of 2025.
The parliamentary elections held in Burundi on 5 June resulted in a sweeping victory for the ruling National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party, which secured all 100 contested seats in the national assembly with 96.5% of the vote. The AU deployed an Election Observation Mission led by Vincent Meriton, former Vice President of Seychelles, comprising 30 observers. In its preliminary report, the mission noted that the elections occurred in a generally stable socio-political and peaceful security environment. However, the mission also reported that some political parties and candidates expressed concerns about biased coverage by public media, alleging it disproportionately favoured the ruling party. Operational challenges were also observed, including complaints from voters in certain areas who did not receive their voter cards. Additionally, opposition parties criticised the elections as undemocratic, citing the systematic harassment and exclusion of opposition groups, particularly the National Congress for Liberty (CNL).
Similarly, the Comoros held parliamentary elections on 12 January. According to the Independent National Election Commission, the ruling Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC), led by President Azali Assoumani, won a strong majority, securing 28 out of 33 seats. However, several opposition parties rejected the results, citing widespread irregularities and a lack of transparency. These concerns prompted the Supreme Court to annul the outcomes in four constituencies, leading to reruns held later in January. Voter turnout stood at 66.3%, slightly lower than the 70.9% recorded in the 2020 election.
On 12 April 2025, Gabon held a presidential election in which General Brice Oligui Nguema, the interim president and leader of the August 2023 military coup that ousted President Ali Bongo, was a candidate. He was later declared the winner, securing over 90 % of the vote. Voter turnout reached 70.4%, a significant rise compared to the 56.65% recorded in the disputed August 2023 elections.
The AU deployed an Election Observation Mission to Gabon led by Trovoada Patrice, Former Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, and supported by Domitien Ndayizeye, former President of Burundi and member of the AU Panel of the Wise. Following the election, during its 1277th session, the PSC welcomed the ‘successful’ conduct of the election without addressing the lack of compliance with Article 25(4) of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). As highlighted in an analysis featured on Amani Africa’s Ideas Indaba, the PSC’s failure to express its continuous commitment to Article 25(4) while recognising the election outcome in Gabon as marking the return of constitutional order can be interpreted by militaries across the continent that ‘a coup has once again become a viable avenue for ascending to power with the possibility of it being recognised by the AU following the coup’s legitimisation through elections.’ Not surprisingly, the AU appears to be on a path to accord Guinea the same treatment that it accorded Gabon, deepening concerns about the political viability and legitimacy of AU’s norm on non-eligibility of perpetrators of coups, as provided for in Article 25(4) of ACDEG.
Furthermore, the report is also expected to highlight eleven upcoming elections scheduled between July and December 2025, including those in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Malawi, the Seychelles, Somalia, and Tanzania.
Cameroon’s presidential election on October 5 takes place amid the prospect of President Paul Biya seeking an unprecedented eighth term, having held power since 1982. Biya, aged 92, remains the longest-serving African president, enabled by a 2008 constitutional amendment removing term limits.
The Central African Republic’s (CAR) upcoming elections in December 2025—covering presidential, legislative, and local levels—are set to take place in a politically and security-fragile environment. President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who is eligible to run again after a controversial 2023 constitutional referendum that eliminated presidential term limits, remains a central figure amid ongoing concerns over democratic backsliding. According to a recent press release by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the National Elections Authority (ANE) is facing serious institutional and operational challenges that threaten the timely and credible organisation of the elections. These include internal dysfunction, funding gaps, delays in finalising the electoral roll, and logistical setbacks. In response, the UN is calling for urgent reforms to the electoral authority and the allocation of adequate resources to safeguard the integrity of the elections.
Côte d’Ivoire’s upcoming presidential election in October 2025 is unfolding in a tense and uncertain political climate, with President Alassane Ouattara facing multiple challengers. Recent reports indicate that the electoral landscape is marred by the exclusion of major opposition figures through legal and administrative means. Tidjane Thiam, leader of the main opposition party (PDCI), was removed from the voter roll due to a court ruling that his past French citizenship invalidated his Ivorian nationality, despite his recent renunciation of his French citizenship. Similarly, former President Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé, and exiled former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro remain barred from running in the elections. The Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed that the voter list will not be revised ahead of the October 25 presidential election, effectively excluding these key opposition leaders from participation. Due to these recent developments, Ivorians are taking to the streets to rally for banned opposition figures.
Guinea-Bissau’s presidential and legislative elections, initially scheduled for late 2024, were postponed by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló in November 2024, citing logistical and financial hurdles—a decision that, in the context of the unilateral dissolution of parliament, occasioned a constitutional crisis, triggering criticism from the opposition as unconstitutional. And, when Embaló’s term in office expired in February 2025, he got the Supreme Court extending it to September 2025. Amid constitutional and democratic backsliding and rising contestation by the opposition of Embaló’s legitimacy and delays in elections, a new election date was set for 23 November 2025, following controversial consultations.
Guinea’s military junta, led by General Mamadi Doumbouya, has rescheduled presidential and legislative elections for December 2025, following a constitutional referendum planned for September. This comes after missing the initial December 2024 transition deadline. A new Directorate General of Elections has been established to oversee the process, but the transition plan is facing criticism over transparency, funding, and delays. Concerns persist about the credibility of the elections, as the junta has dissolved over 50 political parties, restricted media, and curtailed political freedoms. The tense political climate and continued repression have fueled opposition protests and scepticism about the inclusiveness of the upcoming elections.
Malawi’s general elections, set for 16 September 2025, are expected to be highly competitive, featuring presidential, parliamentary, and local government races. This will be the second election held under the 50+1 majority system, introduced after the annulment of the 2019 polls. Incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera is seeking re-election but faces strong challenges from former presidents Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda. Over 7 million voters have registered, with women making up 57% of the electorate. The Malawi Electoral Commission has launched voter registration and preparations under the theme ‘Promoting Democratic Leadership Through Your Vote.’ The African Union has deployed Technical Assistance Missions and a Pre-election Assessment Mission to monitor the process and provide support.
Seychelles’ presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for 27 September, pending final approval of a constitutional amendment establishing fixed election dates. President Wavel Ramkalawan, who won a historic victory in 2020, ending four decades of dominance by the United Seychelles party, is running for a second term with Vice President Ahmed Afif as his running mate. Ramkalawan’s main challenger is Dr. Patrick Herminie of United Seychelles.
Tanzania’s upcoming presidential and legislative elections in October 2025 are expected to be dominated by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan positioned as the clear frontrunner. CCM has officially nominated Hassan for the Union presidency and Hussein Ali Mwinyi for the Zanzibar presidency. The main opposition party, CHADEMA, led by Tundu Lissu, has been barred from the race after refusing to sign a mandatory electoral code of conduct, effectively removing a major challenger. While smaller parties such as ACT-Wazalendo remain in the race, CCM faces minimal opposition. In preparation for the elections, the African Union conducted a pre-election assessment mission in June 2025 to evaluate Tanzania’s institutional readiness, the political climate, and efforts to promote women’s political participation.
Additionally, legislative and local elections are scheduled to be held in Gabon on 27 September and 11 October. Meanwhile, Egypt’s parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place from July 3 to July 10. Although specific dates have not yet been announced, Somalia is also expected to hold parliamentary elections for both federal parliament representatives and state legislatures later this year.
The Chairperson’s report is also expected to highlight key governance trends in Africa. As the January 2025 Monthly digest on the PSC noted, the trend is characterised by a mix of some democratic progress and increasing poor quality of and public confidence in elections. Despite elections becoming common, concerns remain over democratic backsliding, where incumbents manipulate institutions to maintain power, as the examples of Guinea-Bissau or Côte d’Ivoire show. Additionally, upcoming elections in countries such as Guinea, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and the CAR will pose significant tests to the resilience of national institutions and the AU’s capacity to engage in preventive diplomacy amid heightened security and political tensions.
The expected outcome is a communiqué. The PSC may commend Member States for the peaceful and transparent conduct of elections held between January and June 2025. It may particularly welcome the cooperation extended by these Member States to AU Election Observation Missions and encourage the full implementation of recommendations aimed at deepening democratic gains. In line with its previous decisions, the PSC may acknowledge the progress made by Gabon in transitioning toward a constitutional order. Concerning countries undergoing transition, the Council is expected to encourage them to work closely with the AU Commission. In this regard, the PSC may urge the Commission to continue extending its support to transitional countries in line with relevant AU instruments. In light of upcoming elections during the second half of 2025, the PSC may encourage Member States to invite AU observers, undertake necessary electoral reforms, and uphold national and continental legal frameworks governing elections. It may emphasise the importance of restraint and responsibility among all stakeholders to ensure peaceful, credible, and inclusive electoral processes.
