Re-elected AU chief sworn in as 34th Heads of State summit ends

The 34th African Union, AU, heads of state summit ended today in Ethiopia with the swearing-in of reelected AU Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and other administrative officials.

The swearing in was presided over by AU chairperson and president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC; Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. He was the only African leader who attended the summit in person. He took over the role from South African president Cyril Ramaphosa whose one-year tenure expired.

All his other compatriots, who were present, did so via video link. This year's summit was held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. The summit started February 6 and ended today.

"Three points are included on the agenda, namely, the adoption of decisions taken by the Heads of State; the swearing in of the President of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki as well as its Vice-president; and finally the closing ceremony," the DRC presidency posted on Twitter.

Mr. Faki sought a second term mandate for the position of AUC Chairperson following the end of his first term tenure (2017-2020). The Chairperson of the AU Commission is elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once.

The Chairperson of the AU Commission is the Chief Executive Officer, legal representative of the AU and the Commission’s Chief Accounting Officer

Faki will be deputised by Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa from Rwanda. Dr. Nsanzabaganwa secured the majority of votes in a highly contested position which saw two other female candidates vying for the post. Dr. Nsanzabaganwa becomes the first female to occupy the position of the Deputy Chairperson.

Election of the AU Commission Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson by the Assembly is conducted by secret ballot and a two-thirds majority of Member States eligible to vote.

Deeply humbled by the overwhelming and historic vote of confidence by AU Member States by voting 51 out 55 to extend my mandate at the helm of the AUC Commission for another 4 years. My congratulations to @mnsanzabaganwa who was elected as deputy Chairperson. Together we WILL. pic.twitter.com/vyf2tCbwSW

— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) February 6, 2021

The 2021- 2024 elections of senior leadership for the AU Commission also saw the elections of Commissioners which was undertaken by the Executive Council.

The Executive Council elects the Commissioners, who are then appointed by the Assembly. Commissioners are elected for four years, renewable once.

In line with the Institutional Reforms of the African Union and the goal to improve the efficacy of programme implementation, the portfolios of Commissioners were reduced from eight to six

The Executive Council on 6th February 2021 elected the following Commissioners

Amb. Bankole Adeoye (Nigeria) elected to head Political Affairs, Peace and Security docket.

Ms. Josefa Sacko (Angola), re-elected to head Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment

Amb. Albert Muchanga (Zambia) re-elected to head Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining.

Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid (Egypt) re-elected to head Infrastructure and Energy docket.

Elections for the posts of Commissioner Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development and Commissioner Education, Science, Technology and Innovation were postponed to the next meeting of the Executive Council.

The incumbent Commissioners Ms. Amira Elfadil Mohammed (Sudan) and Prof. Sarah Agbor (Cameroon) respectively, will continue to serve in their current positions until the elections are conducted.