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In 2022, the 10th General Assembly of the  held in Maputo, resolved to embark on the development of the Principles and Guidelines for The Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections in Africa to strengthen the capacity of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) and other electoral stakeholders in leveraging the advantages of social media while effectively addressing its negative impacts. 

 Various members of the AAEA were invited to participte in the the UNESCO Internet for Trust global conference that took place in Paris, in February 2023. The conference played a pivotal role in shaping  and laid the groundwork for collaboration with the AAEA’s project, which addresses social media’s impact on elections, providing insights for safeguarding digital rights and electoral integrity in Africa. 

The recent launch event in Johannesburg served as a crucial platform for Electoral Management Bodies in Africa to discuss and prioritize the elements outlined in the AAEA Principles and Guidelines. It facilitated dialogue on integrating these guidelines into electoral processes and exploring new strategies to safeguard access to information and freedom of expression online, while combating disinformation, misinformation and hate speech. Additionally, the event aimed to promote electoral integrity across African jurisdictions through collaboration between election assistance agencies and partners. 

Fifty electoral actors from various African countries, including the majority of the 24 nations holding elections in the Super-Elections Year of 2024, participated in the event. It served as a forum for expressing diverse perspectives and fostering collaborative efforts toward transparent and inclusive electoral processes throughout the continent.

The development of these principles and guidelines on social media, spearheaded by the Electoral Commission of South Africa on behalf of AAEA, is ground-breaking on the African continent. It is also among the few such endeavours globally, including the sterling work done by the UNESCO in recent years.

Shipokosa Paulus MashatileDeputy President of South Africa

Sylvie Coudray, Director for Freedom of Expression, Media development and Media and Information Literacy emphasized that the cooperation has benefited both parties: “The collaborative efforts between the AAEA and UNESCO have been mutually enriching, contributing valuable insights to discussions, dialogue, and public awareness initiatives to shape a future where the internet, digital platforms and all forms of new technologies contribute positively to the democratic process, preserving the respect for human rights.” 

The African Principles and Guidelines advocate for a coordinated approach among Electoral Management Bodies across the continent, drawing guidance from international standards on freedom of expression and other human rights principles. Moreover, it encourages collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and journalists to uphold electoral integrity amidst challenges related to digital rights, reaffirming a commitment to freedom of expression and access to information in democratic processes. 

91�鶹������Ʒ���� actively participated in the Technical Working Group (TWG) for these guidelines since its inception in November 2022. With support from the African Union and UNDP, the TWG will work with stakeholders to facilitate the domestication and operationalization of these Guidelines.