AU Executive Council Commences Discussion on Preparations for Election of Senior Leadership

Addis Ababa, March 15/2024 (ENA) Ahead of the February 2025 elections, the Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs commenced its extraordinary session today at the African Union Headquarters to consider the report on the preparation for the election of senior leadership.

The senior leadership of the African Union is elected to serve for a term of four years, with the option for re-election for another four-year term. 
These senior elective posts include the position of the African Union

Commission Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, and the six Commissioners.

Speaking on the opening session, Mauritania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad, and Chairperson of the Executive Council, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, said the election of the senior leadership of AU should increase its role in peace and security as well as creating international influence.

It should also meet the aspiration of our people and continent, he said, emphasizing the need to enhance capacity to adapt to what is happening at international and national level.

The Minister urged African countries to work together to overcome the impacts of global challenges as they are seriously affecting the development in the continent. 

He also stressed the need to jointly make efforts to adequately exploit natural resources existing in the continent to the benefit of our people. 
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs are expected to lay the ground for the African Union Commission elections.

The Ministers will among other issues, discuss the modalities of regional rotation and gender parity, it was learned. 

Since the transition of the Organization of African Unity to the African Union in 2002 there have been 5 elections for members of AU Commission. The current Commission is due to complete its term in 2025.