AUC Content 2025: Strict Rules, Processes Followed In Electing AU Commission Chair

• AUC election involves five regions, including Southern, Western, Eastern, Northern, and Central, with the chairmanship rotating among them
• Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga and Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf have shown interest in the position ahead of the February 2025 election
• The procedure of electing AUC's chairperson is very strict and can be nullified if the candidates do not achieve the required two-thirds votes

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

The race to replace the incumbent African Union Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki of Chad, is heating up.

Faki's second and final term will conclude in 2025, with elections set for February 2025 during the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The election process involves five regions: Southern, Central, Eastern, Western, and Northern Africa. The chairperson position rotates among these regions.

Currently, the contenders are from the Eastern region, with Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga and Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf as candidates, while the Northern region is also in contention.

Rules of electing AUC chairperson

The election provisions are outlined in Rules 38 and 42 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly and the Executive Council, and the Statutes of the Commission and the Rule of Procedure of the Permanent Representatives Committee of the AU document.

How is AU chairperson, deputy elected?

According to Rule 38, the assembly elects the chairperson and deputy chairperson of the commission by secret ballot, requiring a two-thirds majority of eligible member states.

Candidates must be competent individuals with proven experience, leadership qualities, and a strong track record in relevant sectors.

Nominations for the chairperson and deputy chairperson must be circulated to member states at least three months before the election. The two cannot be from the same region.

What is the process of electing AUC chairperson?

1. Rule 42 states that voting begins with the election of the chairperson, followed by the deputy chairperson, and then the appointment of eight commissioners by the Executive Council.
2. Voting continues until a candidate for the chairperson or deputy chairperson obtains the required two-thirds majority. If the third ballot is inconclusive, the next round will be limited to the top two candidates from the third ballot.
3. If no candidate secures the majority after three additional ballots, the candidate with fewer votes will withdraw.
4. If there are only two candidates initially and neither achieves the majority after the third ballot, the candidate with fewer votes will withdraw, and the remaining candidate will proceed to the next round.
5. If the remaining candidate does not achieve the required majority, the chairperson will suspend the election.
6. If only one candidate is left and fails to secure the majority after three ballots, the chairperson will suspend the election.
7. The deputy chairperson will assume the chairperson’s duties on an interim basis until new elections are held. If the deputy chairperson’s position is contested, the most senior commissioner by tenure or age will act as deputy chairperson until new elections occur.

Meanwhile, each region from which the chairperson and deputy chairperson are appointed will be eligible to have only one commissioner.

“The commissioners shall be competent women or men with proven experience in the relevant field, commensurate leadership qualities and a good track record in government, parliament, international organizations or other relevant sectors of society,” the rules state.

According to the union, the elected persons rule for a term of four years, renewable only once.

William Ruto seeks prayers for Raila Odinga

In other news, President William Ruto asked Kenyans to pray for Raila in his quest to become the next AUC chairperson.

The president observed that the experienced Kenyan opposition leader deserves to head the African Union Secretariat and called on fellow citizens to support his candidacy.

Ruto emphasised that if Raila wins, it would signify Kenya's progress and improve the country's standing on the global stage.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke