ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson race is heating up, with candidates vying for the continent’s most powerful diplomatic position. But how exactly will the election unfold?
To be declared AUC chairperson, a candidate must secure at least 33 votes from the 48 participating AU member states.
If no candidate reaches this threshold in Round 1, the election proceeds to subsequent rounds.
The voting is conducted by secret ballot and can take up to three rounds.
If by Round 3 no candidate achieves the two-thirds majority, the lowest-scoring candidate is eliminated.
The remaining candidate must still secure the required two-thirds majority, or the election is suspended and the AUC deputy chairperson takes over in an acting capacity.
If only two candidates are left and neither secures two-thirds, the one with fewer votes must withdraw.
If only one candidate is left but still fails to get two-thirds, the election is suspended.
In such a case, the deputy chairperson assumes leadership temporarily, and a new election is scheduled for a later date.
For instance, in 2017, Kenya’s Amina Mohamed led the first round with 16 votes, followed by Moussa Faki with 14 votes.
However, Faki won in the seventh round with 38 votes, surpassing the required threshold.
This year, seven countries are ineligible to vote due to suspension for lack of constitutional order. They include Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Sudan, and Niger.
This means only 48 out of 55 AU member states will participate in the election.
AUC Chairperson Contestants are Raila Odinga (Kenya), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (Djibouti), and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar).
Deputy AUC Chairperson Contestants (From North Africa) are Salah Francis (Algeria), Selma Malika (Algeria), Mohamed Fathi (Egypt), Hana Morsy (Egypt), Najat Elhajjaji (Libya), and Latifa Akharbach (Morocco).
Election Process at the AU Summit
1. Step 1: Voting for the AUC chairperson
2. Step 2: Voting for the deputy chairperson
3. Step 3: Appointment of commissioners elected by the AU Executive Council
Regional Rotation Principle
The AU follows a rotation system to ensure all five regions of Africa are represented: 2025 Chairperson Candidates from Eastern Africa and 2025 Deputy Chairperson Candidates from Northern Africa
The chairperson and deputy chairperson cannot come from the same region.
AUC chairpersons serve four-year terms, renewable once.
With the stakes high and a tight race expected, all eyes remain on Addis Ababa as Africa prepares to elect its next top diplomat.
