Supporting Africa Union to engage its member states across the electoral cycle: Follow-up mission to Lesotho

From 29 June to 3 July 2026, a team from International IDEA and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) provided technical and advisory support to the African Union (AU) follow-up mission to the Kingdom of Lesotho. The mission was deployed to assess progress in implementing recommendations made by the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) during the 2022 National Assembly Elections. 

The mission's deployment demonstrates the AU’s commitment to promoting democratic governance, constitutionalism, peace, and credible electoral processes in its member states, in accordance with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). Furthermore, this mission provided a space for mid-cycle engagement with the country, well ahead of its next elections, to support its preparations.

The mission engaged stakeholders including the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the European Union, the Office of the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, government institutions, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), political parties, civil society organizations, development partners, youth and women's groups. The consultations provided an opportunity to reflect on Lesotho's legal reform journey, identify challenges and explore areas that require continued technical support.

The stakeholders consulted by the mission highlighted notable progress made since 2022. Specifically, the adoption of the Tenth Constitutional Amendment (2025); development of an Electoral Cycle Strategic Plan (2024–2028) by the IEC, alongside new voter registration and civic and voter education strategies. The commission has made progress towards modernising voter registration through the use of the national identity card and biometric technologies which are aimed at improving the credibility and integrity of the voters' roll. Reforms promoting women's political participation were also recognised as an important step towards greater inclusion and representation.

Through the European Union-funded Strengthening Pan-African Capacities for Electoral Observation and Assistance (SPEC) project, which supported this mission, International IDEA remains committed to accompanying Lesotho as it builds stronger, more inclusive and more resilient democratic institutions that are capable of delivering credible elections and strengthening public confidence in democratic processes.

International IDEA will continue to provide required technical assistance to the AU in its engagements with Lesotho in its ongoing efforts to strengthen its electoral and democratic institutions ahead of the 2028 General Elections. Building on the findings of the follow-up mission, International IDEA will continue its engagement in Lesotho through the EU funded Inclusive Lesotho – Election Cycle Support Project, which supports inclusive political participation, electoral administration, civic and voter education, and greater electoral transparency.