By Shadrack Nyakoe
The African Union (AU) has concluded elections for four of the six Commissioner positions within its Commission. The elections took place on February 12, 2025, during the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. These Commissioners will serve four-year terms, renewable once.
Amb. Bankole Adeoye (Nigeria, Western region) was re-elected as Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS). New appointments include Mr. Moses Vilakati (Eswatini, Southern region) as Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), Ms. Lerato D. Mataboge (South Africa, Southern region) as Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy (I & E), and Amb. Amma A. Twum-Amoah (Ghana, Western region) as Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS).
However, the elections for two crucial Commissioner roles – Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry, and Mining (ETTIM) and Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) – were postponed until the next Executive Council Ordinary Session in July 2025. The current Commissioners, Amb. Albert Muchanga and Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, will continue in their respective roles until the new elections are held.
The AU emphasized that the election process adhered to principles of equitable regional representation and gender parity. These elections reflect ongoing institutional reforms adopted in 2018, which aim to streamline the AU Commission’s leadership.
The reformed structure reduces the number of Commissioners from ten to six, alongside the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. These reforms also prioritize transparency and meritocracy in leadership selection.
A Panel of Eminent Africans, representing each region, oversees the pre-selection of candidates, working with an independent African consultancy firm to define job profiles and competency requirements. Candidate assessments are based on these pre-defined skills and competencies.
The election of the AU Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson is scheduled for February 15, 2025, during the ongoing 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
These positions, along with the Commissioners, are elected by secret ballot, requiring a two-thirds majority vote from member states for a candidate to be successful.
