African Union seeks to embed democracy in daily life
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Shabelle Media Network
The African Union wants to embed democracy in daily life through the media, civic education and citizen participation. Meeting on 26 and 27 October in Addis Ababa, its partners prepared proposals to strengthen reliable information and democratic resilience ahead of the 2026-2027 elections, according to the African Union.
The African Union wants to make democracy a permanent practice in public life, drawing on the media, civic education and citizen participation. Its Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security brought electoral officials, media representatives, academics, civil society organisations, and youth and women’s networks together in Addis Ababa on 26 and 27 October, according to the African Union.
The second roundtable on democracy, the media and socialisation in Africa was intended to produce concrete proposals ahead of Africa’s 2026-2027 electoral cycle. The African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, called for democratic values to be integrated into societies, communities, educational institutions, the media and public institutions.
Participants examined the influence of artificial intelligence and digital platforms on elections, as well as the risks linked to disinformation, misinformation and hate speech. They notably discussed media literacy, fact-checking, independent journalism and public trust in reliable information.
The roundtable also addressed journalists’ safety, working conditions and social rights, as well as young people’s civic participation, women’s leadership and the inclusion of people with disabilities. The discussions identified priorities for the coming year in civic and electoral education, engagement ahead of elections and democratic participation, according to the African Union.
