A Social Media scheduling error caused the African Union to send congratulatory message to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for being reelected during the January 2021 Ugandan General Elections two months earlier.
In the message, the African Union chairperson ‘congratulates the people of Uganda’ for holding ‘fairly peaceful and fair’ elections, adding that there are always winners and losers in any democratic process. The Union asked all the parties involved to join hands together and work for the betterment of Uganda in the next five years.
“Following its successful General Elections held on 14 January 2021, the AU Commission Chairperson encourages the Government and People of Uganda to continue in the same path of democratic stability through popular participation and good governance.
The AU Commission Chairperson also congratulates the re-election of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for another term of office during the General Elections in Uganda.”
Outrage
The message drew outrage from people from Uganda and all over Africa even after the AU apologized and stated that it was a mistake that should not have happened.
“The message was as a result of poor scheduling on our part. We are sorry for the pain that we have caused the people of Uganda and the offending Tweet has been deleted.”
Following the incident, the Social Media Manager for the African Union was promptly fired and a search for a new one who is conversant with classified diplomatic matters is on. Several African leaders asked the AU to learn how to use social media properly as it can result in serious diplomatic problems.
