Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has been entrusted with the leadership of the African Union's election observation mission in South Africa, as announced on Monday.

The African Union revealed that the team under Kenyatta's guidance will consist of 60 short-term observers, including three Core Team electoral experts. Their primary task will be to assess the quality of the South African general elections scheduled for May 29.

In a statement, the AU outlined that the report compiled by Uhuru's team will evaluate the elections' adherence to regional, continental, and international standards for democratic processes. Additionally, recommendations for enhancing future elections will be derived from their observations, showcasing the AU's commitment to supporting South Africa's democratic progress.

The mission aims to ensure that the elections are conducted in a democratic, credible, and peaceful manner, contributing to the consolidation of democratic governance, peace, and stability in South Africa, as per the AU statement.

Beyond observation, the team will engage with various stakeholders and monitor the final preparations and polling procedures. A preliminary statement will be issued by the AU election observation mission following the conclusion of the electoral process.

The appointment of Uhuru Kenyatta aligns with the objectives of AU Agenda 2063, which prioritizes good governance, democracy, human rights, justice, and the rule of law.

This isn't the first time Uhuru Kenyatta has led such a mission. In February of the previous year, he was appointed to lead a similar team to observe Nigeria's elections, demonstrating his experience and credibility in overseeing electoral processes.