As published by Mano Florian in the African Times
The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (AP-CPLP), Teresa Asangono, has called on CPLP member states to establish Electoral Observation Missions (EOMs) as a means to enhance transparency and integrity in democratic processes.
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Speaking in Maputo during the opening of the 14th Ordinary Session of the AP-CPLP, Asangono underscored that transparent monitoring of elections is vital to strengthening democracy and the rule of law across the Lusophone world and avert post-electoral violence like the one in Mozambique in 2024-2025, which resulted in more than 400 deaths and property destruction.
“I wish to express our organisation’s concern regarding the lack of an Electoral Observation Mission within the CPLP. While such missions are typically deployed during elections in part of African CPLP countries, this is not consistently observed in the rest of the member states,” she said.
Asangono acknowledged that some CPLP countries have made significant democratic progress, and suggested that observing elections in those nations would offer valuable learning opportunities for others striving to achieve robust electoral democracy.
“For this reason, we urge all member states to establish Electoral Observation Missions for their elections, as stipulated in Article 20-A of the AP-CPLP Statutes,” she added.
With the session themed “Promoting Peace, Democracy and Good Governance in the CPLP”, Asangono emphasised the interconnectedness of peace and democracy.
“It is crucial to understand that peace and democracy are mutually dependent—one cannot exist without the other. Democracy is the guarantor of peace, for it is only through democratic governance that development and human rights can be realised,” she declared.
She further stressed the need for good governance, describing it as the essential process through which institutions ensure that policies and practices are effectively applied to societal issues.
Asangono noted that her presidency was also an opportunity to bring the organisation closer to the people and to promote its key objectives aimed at improving the lives of CPLP citizens.
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“In line with our founding principles, the AP-CPLP is committed to ensuring that member states adopt and implement agreed objectives, with the shared goal of benefiting from what the community has to offer,” she stated.
She highlighted some of the core goals pursued during Equatorial Guinea’s term at the helm, including socioeconomic development, women’s empowerment in decision-making structures, and greater youth participation in representative institutions. These, she said, should continue to be priorities going forward.
Turning to the issue of mobility, Asangono pointed out that free movement within the CPLP remains a challenge.
“Mobility is still largely restricted to holders of diplomatic, service, or official passports. This limits the free movement of students, cultural actors, business people, and many others,” she lamented.
This article has been published in partnership with the African Times.
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