16 March 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Eastern Africa region has secured a significant advantage in the upcoming race for Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). The African Union Executive Council, in a unanimous decision on Friday, March 15, 2024, declared the East African bloc eligible to present candidates for the prestigious position.
This development paves the way for potential candidates from the region, including Raila Odinga, Kenya’s opposition leader, and Fawzia Adam, Somalia’s former Foreign Affairs Minister. Meanwhile, the Northern African region will nominate candidates for the Deputy Chairperson slot, while the remaining six commissioner positions will be contested by candidates from Central, Southern, and Western Africa.
Kenyan authorities expressed their intention to work closely with the 14 Eastern African member states to secure regional backing for their candidate. The current chairperson, Moussa Faki of Chad, is nearing the end of his two-term tenure, with elections scheduled for February 2025.
The official campaign to succeed Faki is expected to begin in May 2024, following the submission of applications by all interested candidates.
