Ethiopia Welcomes Faki’s Re-election as head of AU Commission
ADDIS ABEBA – Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has congratulated Moussa Faki Mahamat’s re-election as chairperson of African Union Commission.
The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the pan African bloc re-elected Faki from the Republic of Chad, as the AUC Chairperson for another four year term from 2021-2024.
“Congratulations Moussa Faki on your re-election for a second term as Chairperson of the
African Union Commission (AUC),” Abiy said. “Ethiopia wishes you the best.”
The election took place on 6 February 2021 during the ongoing 34thOrdinary Session of the Assembly. Their meeting was held virtually due to the containment measures instituted as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
New deputy
Faki sought a second term mandate for the position of AUC Chairperson following the end of his first term tenure (2017-2020).
“With deep humility, I accept the good wishes upon my election for a 2nd term as Chair of the AU Commission together with my deputy & Commissioner collegues,” Faki said.
“To serve & remain of service as best as we can, like those who came before us, and the beautiful ones yet to be born,” he added.
Faki will be deputized by Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa from Rwanda, becoming the first female to occupy the position of the Deputy Chairperson.
Dr. Nsanzabaganwa secured the majority of votes in a highly contested position which saw two other female candidates vying for the post.
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.
New commissioners
The 2021- 2024 elections of senior leadership for the AU Commission also saw the elections of Commissioners which was undertaken by the Executive Council and then appointed by the Assembly.
The Executive Council elected Ambassador Bankole Adeoye of Nigeria as head Political Affairs, Peace and Security docket; and Josefa Sacko of Angola as head Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment.
Ambassador Albert Muchanga of Zambia was also re-elected as head Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining while Amani Abou-Zeid of Egypt re-elected to head Infrastructure and Energy docket.
Prof Hirut has to wait
Elections for the posts of Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), and Commissioner of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development were postponed to the next meeting of the Executive Council, according to AU.
AU said the incumbent Commissioners Prof. Sarah Agbor of Cameroon and Amira Elfadil Mohammed of Sudan respectively, will continue to serve in their current positions until the elections are conducted.
Ethiopia is backing Professor Hirut Woldemariam who is vying for top spot at ESTI Commission.
