AU commission chairperson congratulates Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania on peaceful elections

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, lauded the governments and citizens of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the United Republic of Tanzania Tuesday on the nations' recent peaceful general elections.

Zuma said that the high participation of the nations' citizens in the Oct. 25 elections was a testament to their understanding of the importance of the elections as well as their sense of responsibility with regard to exercising their civil rights.

"It is an indication of the maturation of the democratization process on the continent," Zuma said. "The regularity of conducting elections in African countries, and the active citizen engagement in electoral processes clearly demonstrate the citizens’ commitment to upholding the principles enshrined in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and governance.

To Zuma, the peaceful elections indicate that violence-free elections will become standard on the continent in the near future.

"This commitment enhances prospects for peace, political stability and development in Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania," Zuma added. "It is adequately indicative that through the ballots, the guns will be silenced by 2020."