Electoral Transparency in Africa: Can Observation Missions Enhance It? (African Union missions as an example)

Abstract:
 Election observation missions in Africa represent one of the most important tools used by the African Union and some African, regional and international organizations to ensure the transparency of electoral processes in the countries of the continent and ensure the integrity of their organization and results. Opinions about it have been divided, with some seeing it as a tool used by African political regimes to legitimize and strengthen their power, while others emphasize that it contributes to ensuring the transparency and integrity of the electoral process. Based on these views, the study examines the background, history, and practice of these missions to identify the philosophy and motives that led to their emergence on the one hand, their objectives, their working methodologies, and their positive and negative effects on the reality and future of democracy and its development on the African continent.