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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has congratulated Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Selma Malika Haddadi on their election as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), respectively.
In a message on his X account, Museveni extended his congratulations on behalf of the Ugandan government and its people. "Uganda remains committed to working closely with the African Union Commission to address the continent’s challenges and harness its opportunities for the benefit of our people," he stated.
New Leadership at the AU Commission
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was elected Chairperson of the AUC, defeating Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Madagascar’s former Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato. Youssouf succeeds Moussa Faki Mahamat, who served two terms since 2017.
Selma Malika Haddadi, Algeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, takes over as Deputy Chairperson from Monique Nsanzabaganwa of Rwanda. Her election followed the gender rotation principle, which ensures that if the Chairperson is male, the Deputy must be female.
Both leaders were elected during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government from February 15 to 16, 2025. They secured the required two-thirds majority of the 49 eligible voting member states. Six AU member states were ineligible to vote due to sanctions.
Role of the AU Commission Leaders
The AUC Chairperson serves as the Chief Executive Officer and legal representative of the AU. Responsibilities include overseeing administration and finances, promoting the AU’s objectives, coordinating with member states and development partners, appointing staff, and managing treaties and legal instruments.
The Deputy Chairperson supports the Chairperson, ensuring smooth operations and overseeing administration and finance. The Deputy also acts on behalf of the Chairperson in their absence.
New AU Commissioners Elected
The AU also elected four commissioners during the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of Ministers on February 12, 2025.
- Amb. Bankole Adeoye (Nigeria, Western Region) was re-elected as Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security.
- Moses Vilakati (Eswatini, Southern Region) was elected Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment.
- Lerato Mataboge (South Africa, Southern Region) was elected Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.
- Amb. Amma Twum-Amoah (Ghana, Western Region) was elected Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development.
Elections for the Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Mining, as well as the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, were postponed. The incumbents, Amb. Albert Muchanga and Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, will continue serving until the elections take place.
The African Union’s Panel of Eminent Africans, assisted by an independent African consultancy firm, oversees the pre-selection process for AUC leadership. The selection criteria focus on competency, skills, and regional representation to ensure effective governance at the AU Commission.
