AUC/FILEThe election will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15 and 16. It will be preceded by the election of AU Commissioners on February 12 and 13.
According to the commission statutes, the Assembly elects the chairperson and deputy chairperson, while the Executive Council elects the commissioners, who are appointed by the Assembly.
The commission members’ terms are for four years, renewable once.
A Panel of Eminent Africans, composed of five personalities, one per region, will oversee the pre-selection of candidatures for the senior leadership of the Commission
"The Assembly of Heads of State and Government elects and appoints the chairperson and deputy chairperson during their Session on the 15-16 February 2025," AU said in an explainer.
The election for the chairperson, deputy chairperson, and commissioners continues until one of the candidates obtains the two-thirds majority.
However, in this year’s election, at least six countries will not take part in the voting process.
These countries, which include Niger, Mali, Guinea, Gabon, Burkina Faso and Sudan are suspended for various reasons ranging from coups to civil wars.
The suspensions are usually announced by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC).
Mali, Guinea and Sudan were suspended in 2021, and Burkina Faso followed a year later after the military took over power.
Gabon would then be suspended in August 2023 as Sudan joined the league last month (January 2025).
The suspensions bar the countries from participating in any African Union-related activities until they are cleared and re-admitted to the African Union.
The AU insists on having civilian administrations take charge of these countries and in some instances has sometimes allowed for transition periods to allow back civilian rule.
Kenya is among the countries that have fielded a candidate for the AUC chairperson position.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will face off with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato.
The three went head-to-head in a televised debate on December 13, 2024, where each used the opportunity to outline their vision of how they would lead the transformation of Africa through the implementation of the AU Mandate and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
The race is to succeed Moussa Faki from Chad whose term comes to an end next year.
The new office holder will be selected at the 38th AU summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Raila was as of January 15, a clear favourite to replace outgoing AUC chair Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad having won endorsements from at least 21 countries.
The winner of the AUC chairperson seat is required to garner the support of two-thirds of the 55 countries eligible to vote, translating to 33 African Union member states.
