New African Union Leadership Assumes Office, Pledges Reform and Progress

BY Baboloki Semele-Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – March 13, 2025 – The newly elected leadership of the African Union Commission (AUC) has officially assumed office following a historic handover ceremony held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. This transition marks the beginning of a new era for the continental body as it embarks on a mission to strengthen Africa’s position on the global stage, enhance institutional reforms, and drive forward the implementation of Agenda 2063.

A Commitment to Africa’s Future

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission, delivered his inaugural speech outlining his vision for Africa’s transformation. He emphasized the urgency of asserting Africa’s global influence, stating, “Africa must take its destiny into its own hands. It’s time to assert ourselves as a determined continent, capable of influencing major global decisions and proposing solutions to the crises that affect us.”

Youssouf pledged to spearhead institutional reforms to tackle administrative and structural challenges within the Commission. His priorities include accelerating the implementation of the Second Ten-Year Plan of Agenda 2063, enhancing financial autonomy to reduce dependency on external funding, and strengthening collaboration between African Union institutions. Additionally, he stressed the need for an agile and responsive AU that can effectively address emerging crises and challenges.

Reflections from Outgoing Leadership

In his farewell address, outgoing AUC Chairperson H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat reflected on the progress made during his eight-year tenure. He acknowledged both accomplishments and challenges, urging the new leadership to push boundaries and embrace innovative solutions. “There are certainly gaps and shortcomings. I’m sure that, with your fresh impetus and your faith in our organization, you’ll go far beyond the frontiers that are ours today and the legacy we’re leaving you,” Mahamat remarked.

He also underscored the significance of youth and women in driving Africa’s development, reaffirming his ongoing commitment to supporting the AU’s mission even in retirement. “We will remain disciplined soldiers, even in retirement, to bring you what remains of our energy and experience,” he assured.

Continental and Global Challenges at the Forefront

H.E. Taye Atske-Selassie, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, highlighted the formidable challenges facing Africa, including geopolitical tensions, rising conflicts, terrorism, and the worsening climate crisis. However, he also pointed to Africa’s growing influence on the global stage, particularly through its inclusion in the G20.

“Africa’s G-20 membership is not merely a seat at the table; it is a platform that will make Africa an active contributor in shaping our collective economic destiny,” Atske-Selassie stated. He further emphasized the urgent need for Africa’s permanent representation on the UN Security Council to ensure meaningful participation in decisions impacting the continent’s future.

A Renewed Focus on Development and Industrialization

AU Chairperson and President of Angola, H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, lauded the achievements of the outgoing leadership while expressing confidence in the new administration’s ability to drive industrialization and economic inclusivity. He called for innovative solutions to address the continent’s pressing challenges, particularly in infrastructure development, trade, and technological advancement.

“The issue of infrastructure deserves special attention from this commission, which I urge to craft a strategy aimed at mobilizing Africa’s international partners interested in making investments with mutual advantages,” Lourenço stressed. He reaffirmed the importance of achieving the technological and energy transition goals outlined in Agenda 2063.

Looking Ahead

The newly inaugurated officials of the AUC will serve a four-year term, with the potential for re-election. Notably, two key positions—Commissioner for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry, and Mining (ETTIM) and Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI)—remain vacant. Elections for these roles are set to take place during the upcoming 24th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council.

As the primary executive arm of the African Union, the Commission plays a vital role in shaping and implementing policies that drive Africa’s progress. With a renewed leadership team and a bold vision, the AU is poised to strengthen its institutional effectiveness, advance the continent’s socio-economic development, and assert Africa’s rightful place in global governance.

The coming years will be crucial in determining whether these ambitious reforms will materialize, but for now, Africa looks ahead with renewed optimism and determination.

BIOs OF OFFICERS TAKING OVER THE REIGNS OF AFRICAN UNION COMMISISON

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, (Djibouti, Eastern Region) has been elected as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. He will be to be deputised by H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi (Algeria, Northern Region). Both mandates are for four years, renewable once.

The two leaders were elected and sworn in at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government that took place from 15 to 16 February 2025. Both elected officials garnered the required two thirds majority votes of the 49 member states eligible to vote. 6 AU member states are under sanctions and therefore ineligible to vote.

60-year-old H.E. Mahmoud Youssouf will take over from the outgoing Chairperson H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat (Chad, Central Region) who has served for two consecutive terms since 2017. H.E. Mahmoud Youssouf is the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Djibouti and has previously served as both the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) among key other roles. He was competing against H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya and H.E. Richard Randriamandrato, Former Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Madagascar. Read the full profile of H.E. Mahmoud Youssouf here.

The Chairperson of the AUC is the Chief Executive Officer, legal representative of the AU and the AU Commission Chief Accounting Officer. The Chairperson is elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once. The Chairperson’s functions, include, among others, the overall responsibility for the Commission’s administration and finances; promoting and popularising the AU’s objectives and enhancing its performance; consulting and coordinating with key stakeholders like Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECS), and development partners, among other stakeholders; appointing and managing Commission staff; and acting as a depository for all African Union and the Organization of African Unity treaties and legal instruments.

H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi will take over from H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa (Rwanda, Eastern Region) who was elected in 2021, becoming the first female Deputy Chairperson. 47-year-old, H.E. Selma Haddadi is career diplomat and the current Ambassador of Algeria to Ethiopia and the Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA. She is also a legal expert.

In line with the principle of gender rotation which dictates that if the Chairperson of the AU Commission is male, the Deputy Chairperson is female and vice versa, all male candidates competing for the Deputy Chairperson post were disqualified after the election of H.E Mahmoud as Chairperson, leaving Ms. Latifah Akharbach (Morocco), Ms. Hanan Morsy (Egypt), and Ms Najat Elhajjaji (Libya) as the other contestants  competing with H.E. Selma Haddadi for the position of Deputy Chairperson. Following the withdrawal of the candidate from Libya, only 3 of the female candidates participated in race for Deputy Chairperson. Read the profile of H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi  here.

The Deputy Chairperson assists the Chairperson in the execution of his or her functions, to ensure the smooth running of the AU Commission, and oversees administration and finance functions. The Deputy acts as the Chairperson in his/ her absence.

The elections of the African Union Commission are governed by the AU Assembly Rules of Procedure and the AU Commission Statutes. The Deputy must not be from the same region as the Chairperson of the Commission. Additionally, the regions that provide the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson do not contest for Commissioner positions of the African Union.

The elections of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson were held after the elections and appointments of the AU Commission Commissioners during the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs- on 12 February 2025. Commissioners are elected for a four-year term, renewable once. 4 out of the 6 Commissioner positions available were elected. The following Commissioners were elected:

Amb. Bankole Adeoye 

(Nigeria, Western region) was re-elected to head the Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) department. In March 2021, he became the first Commissioner to lead the amalgamated Political Affairs, Peace and Security portfolios, which had hitherto, been two separate departments. He previously served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the AU and UNECA and Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti. He has also served as Chief of Staff for the African Union Development Agency (AUDA- NEPAD); Director of Corporate Services, and Coordinator, Partnerships & External Relations, as well as the Director in the International Organizations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr. Moses Vilakati 

(Eswatini, Southern region) was elected to head the Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) department. He has served as a minister in Eswatini in both the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and the Ministry of Agriculture. Previously, he served as the Project Director at the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise among other accomplishments. He takes over from H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko (Angola, Southern Region) who served for two terms.

Ms. Lerato Mataboge

 (South Africa, Southern region) was elected as the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy (I&E) department. Ms Mataboge is a global policy and trade and investment facilitation expert and is currently the Deputy Director-General in the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. Prior to this role, she founded and was CEO of Trade Invest Africa. She also serves on the Board of the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC) as a non-Executive Director and is a member of the Finance and Investment Committee. She takes over from H.E. Amani Abou-Zeid (Egypt, Northern Region) who served for two terms.

Amb. Amma Twum-Amoah \

(Ghana, Western region) elected as Commissioner for  Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS) department. She is the former Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan and the Permanent Representative to the African Union. She previously served as the Director, Economic, Trade and Investment Bureau of Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and served as the Minister Plenipotentiary/Special Government Projects at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C., U.S.A, among other senior positions. She takes over from H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma (Burkina Faso, Western Region)