• Head of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission to the 2010 National Assembly Elections in the Republic of Mauritius, Honorable Deputy Minister Henrique Banze;

• Your Excellency Ambassador of South Africa to the Republic of Mauritius;

• Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Mauritius;

• Head of the Electoral Supervisory Commission;

• Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners to the Republic of Mauritius;

• Excellencies Members of the Diplomatic Corp;

• Distinguished Representatives of Political Parties and Candidates;

• Esteemed Members of the Media;

• Invited Guests;

• Ladies and Gentlemen.

Let me welcome you to this brief but very important ceremony. Your presence here today is a testimony and recognition of the role of SADC in the entrenchment of democracy and democratic practice.

Following the invitation by the Electoral Commission of Mauritius to SADC to observe the elections scheduled for 05 May 2010, the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, His Excellency, Armando Geubuza, President of the Republic of Mozambique, instructed the SADC Secretariat to field the SADC Election Observer Mission in Mauritius.

We are gathered here today to officially initiate the formal electoral observation of the 05 May 2010 National Assembly Elections, in this important SADC Member State.

Democratic values in SADC Region have over the years bear a human face. Mauritius has built in us, SADC citizens, and a habit of peaceful Mauritius, tolerant Mauritius, and a welcoming Mauritius. It is under this spirit that Political Parties and Candidates are presenting themselves to the Mauritius electorate to choose a Mauritius policy template that would best serve their aspirations in the spirit as entrenched in the SADC Principles and Guidelines.

As we come and observe elections in Mauritius, we do so with confidence that the tradition of peace encapsulated in the unquestionable political maturity and tolerance shall, once again, guide Mauritians as they go to the polls on 05 May, 2010.

As observers, we are here today to do our work of observing the electoral process prior, during and post elections. I am convinced without doubt that we know our responsibilities and we will confine ourselves within our mandate so that our mission retains its credibility role as has been the case in other similar missions.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is the responsibility of SADC Secretariat to assist Member States in their quest to consolidate democracy, democratic practices and it is imperative to be seen to be doing so. In this regard, I have deployed on full time, professional and experienced officers from the SADC Secretariat to assist the SADC Electoral Observer Mission throughout their work here.