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The credibility of an electoral process cannot be fully guaranteed if it excludes a part of the population, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, said on Monday in Rabat.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the 5th Training Cycle for African Election Observers of the African Union (AU), co-chaired with the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Mr. Bankolé Adeoye, the minister emphasized that "our women, our youth, people with disabilities, all these voices must be present, not through symbolic obligation, but because their inclusion is a guarantee of excellence and legitimacy." "The strength of this cycle resides in its capacity to reflect the reality of our societies," he added, noting that the inauguration of this 5th edition embodies the "tenacity of a vision and the maturity of a continental ambition," marking half a decade of exemplary partnership between the Kingdom and the AU. He pointed out that the "cycle is continuously working towards an Africa that is stable, peaceful, and resolutely in control of its destiny," in line with the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him. This training "was born of a deep and unwavering conviction" that "African democracy will only be consolidated if it is carried by African hands, trained, independent, and fully committed," Mr. Bourita noted. In this respect, he lauded the personal commitment and leadership of the AU Commissioner, Mr. Bankolé Adeoye, which have been the foundation of this partnership's success. The minister also recalled that nearly 400 observers from the continent's 53 countries have been trained in Rabat, representing the five African regions, 65% of whom are women and 85% are youth. In the face of emerging threats in the digital era, particularly deepfakes, algorithmic disinformation, and the misuse of AI, Mr. Bourita emphasized the need to adapt and anticipate risks in order to equip African observers with the necessary tools to meet these challenges. He also noted that the 3rd edition of the Seminar-Dialogue on Democracy and Elections in Africa, co-organized with the Policy Center for the New South, enriches this technical training with an intellectual and geopolitical perspective, under the theme « The Digitalization of Democracy: Youth-led Artificial Intelligence Strategies in a Changing World. »
