AU is looking for right person to take over from Faki, Obasanjo says after meeting Raila

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has said the African Union (AU) Commission is looking for the right person to take over from current chair Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Addressing a press conference in Nairobi alongside Azimio leader Raila Odinga, Obasanjo said there is so much that needs to be corrected in Africa, which will require a suitable person to lead the commission.

“There is much more that is wrong with Africa today. In my part of the continent, West Africa is riddled with governments that were not installed through constitutional means. The area is riddled with insecurity, poverty, unemployment and you can say a similar thing for this part of Africa,” he said.

Mahamat is set to leave office in March next year.

Obasanjo added that if AU is to serve its purpose, it will require the right person at the right time.

Obasanjo, who is AU Special Envoy, the continent’s leaders need to get the commission to where it should be.

“In less than a year, there should be a change of baton at the AU top level. Maybe some of us should take it upon ourselves to assist our incumbent leaders to make sure the right person takes over. We need to look and search and advise,” he stated.

He added that the person to take over at AU should be a man or woman who has experience in leadership, understands the situation Africa is in and comes from a background that can make a difference.

He added that the right person would have held the position of head of government either at prime minister or presidential level.

“Such as person will be able to knock at the doors of the continent’s leaders without much ado,” he said.