6 Countries to be Excluded From Voting the Next AU Chairperson
6 Countries to be Excluded From Voting the Next AU Chairperson
A Panel of Eminent Africans, consisting of five individuals (one from each region), will supervise the pre-selection of candidates for the Commission’s senior leadership positions.
According to an explainer from the AU, “During their session on February 15-16, 2025, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government will elect and appoint the chairperson and deputy chairperson.”
The vote for chairperson, deputy chairperson, and commissioners persists until a candidate achieves a two-thirds majority.
Nonetheless, in this year’s election, a minimum of six countries will abstain from participating in the voting process.
The suspension of these countries, including Niger, Mali, Guinea, Gabon, Burkina Faso, and Sudan, is due to a variety of reasons that range from coups to civil wars.
Normally, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) announces the suspensions.
In 2021, Mali, Guinea, and Sudan were suspended, with Burkina Faso following a year later after the military seized power.
Gabon would subsequently be suspended in August 2023, as Sudan entered the league last month (January 2025).
The suspensions prevent the countries from engaging in any activities related to the African Union until they are cleared and re-admitted.
The AU emphasizes the necessity of civilian administrations assuming control in these countries and has occasionally permitted transition periods to facilitate a return to civilian governance.
Kenya is one of the countries that have nominated a candidate for the role of AUC chairperson.
Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister, will compete against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
On December 13, 2024, the three engaged in a televised debate, using the occasion to present their visions for leading Africa’s transformation through the AU Mandate and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
The competition is for the position currently held by Chad’s Moussa Faki, whose term expires next year.
The individual who will take on the new office will be chosen at the 38th AU summit, which is set to occur in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
