African Foreign Ministers in Addis to discuss Faki succession » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya Mar 15 — African Foreign Ministers have gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to review plans for the election of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) scheduled for February 2025.
The 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers which kicked off on Friday brought together representatives from all 55 African Union Member States, officials from AU organs and offices, and strategic partners.
Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, is in Addis Ababa for the high-level session.
During the meeting, the Executive Council will deliberate on the draft report concerning the preparations for the highly anticipated election that will mark the end of the tenure of Moussa Faki, the current AUC Chairperson who assumed office on March 14, 2017.
Tanzania’s Foreign Minister, January Makamba, said Thursday that the meeting will “lay out the process and procedure for [the] election of the AU Commission Chairperson and senior leadership.”
EAC’s turn
Makamba pointed out that Tanzania is resolute that the AUC Chairperson slot should come from the East African region.
Faki hails from Chad, a Central African State.
Notably, Kenya and Somalia have already put forward their candidates for the AUC position, indicating a gathering momentum in the race.
Kenya’s candidate is opposition chief Raila Odinga, who publicly expressed interest in the influential position on February 15.
Odinga began lobbying other African leaders for support and plans after President William Ruto committed to present him as Kenya’s regionally backed candidate.
“I have requested my friend, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, to continue advocating for my candidacy and engage with other leaders,” Odinga said following a recent meeting with Obasanjo.
Odinga served as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa from 2018 to February 2023, a tenure that ended amid claims Nairobi had withdrawn its support following President Ruto’s assumption of office.
On March 5, President Ruto said East African Community leaders had agreed to sponsor Odinga as the candidate for the AUC chairman post, highlighting regional support for his candidacy.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is the latest EAC leader to express his support citing Odinga’s past experiences as a valuable asset for the AUC.
“I know his (Odinga’s) struggles even when I was the African Union chairperson in 2018 and He was representing the Commission on Infrastructure for the continent. He did a good job. We give him our support and wish him all the best,” Kagame said.
Odinga’s opponent
Odinga’s bid could however face opposition from Somalia, the newest Member of the EAC bloc, which is poised to present Fawzia Yusuf Adam, a former Foreign Minister, as its candidate.
The former Foreign Minister has pledged to prioritize good governance and accountability if elected into the position.
She identified strengthening democracy and advocating for the protection of human rights as one of her top objectives.
“Strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing public participation, and safeguarding human rights are at the core of my agenda. Together, let’s build a transparent, accountable Africa,” she said Thursday.
The AUC Commission comprises a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Commissioners, and staff.
The Assembly of AU Heads of State elects the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson while the Executive Council of Foreign Ministers elects Commissioners.
Members of the Commission serve for a four-year term renewable once.
In November 2018, as part of institutional reforms, the Assembly decided to enhance the transparency and meritocracy of the leadership selection process, emphasizing principles such as equitable regional representation, gender parity, and attracting top talent from across Africa.
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