Members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) are demanding a more significant role in the process leading to the election of the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). The call, led by Senator Danson Mungatana, the leader of the Kenyan delegation to the Pan-African Parliament, emphasizes the need for candidates vying for the AUC’s top positions to engage with the representatives of the African people. This push highlights the need for accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in the leadership of Africa’s continental body.
Mungatana’s proposal, which received widespread support from other PAP members, seeks to ensure that the candidates articulate their vision for Africa directly to the legislative body of the continent. By involving PAP in the election process, he argued, the views and aspirations of ordinary Africans would be represented, aligning with the body’s mandate to promote the participation of African citizens in decision-making processes.
The Pan-African Parliament, established to enhance democratic governance and economic integration on the continent, serves as a platform where representatives from African states deliberate on the continent’s challenges and opportunities. Therefore, the call for greater involvement in the election of the AUC Chairperson is a natural extension of its role.
The African Union Commission Election Process
The election of the African Union Commission Chairperson is scheduled for February 2025, during the African Union Summit. In this election, eight senior leadership positions at the AUC, including the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and six Commissioner posts, are up for grabs. Candidates are required to submit their curriculum vitae and vision statements, outlining their strategies for advancing the African Union’s transformative agenda and addressing the continent’s emerging challenges.
The election process operates on a principle of inter-regional rotation, ensuring equitable representation from different regions of Africa. According to the current arrangement, the Eastern region will present male and female candidates for the position of Chairperson, while the Northern region will submit candidates for the Deputy Chairperson role. The remaining three regions—Central, Southern, and Western—will nominate male and female candidates for the six Commissioner roles.
The election system also incorporates gender rotation to promote gender parity. If a male is elected Chairperson, a female must be elected Deputy Chairperson, and vice versa. This framework reflects the African Union’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in its leadership structure.
Candidates for the AUC Chairpersonship
Among the prominent candidates in the race for the Chairperson position is Kenya’s former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga. He is expected to face stiff competition from Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, former Mauritius Foreign Minister Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato.
The election of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson is conducted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, while the Ministerial Executive Council elects the Commissioners. The selected leaders serve four-year terms, renewable once, and the election itself is carried out through a secret ballot.
A Call for Greater Transparency
One of the standout features of the AUC election process is the televised Africa Leadership Debate, known as MjadalaAfrika. This debate is a key platform for candidates to outline their vision and plans for Africa’s future, giving the continent’s citizens a chance to assess their potential leaders. The live broadcast provides a critical avenue for transparency, allowing Africans to engage with candidates and ask questions about pressing issues such as economic development, integration, and Africa’s role on the global stage.
The debate, part of the broader African Union reforms, plays a crucial role in ensuring that leadership selection is merit-based and transparent. It aligns with the African Union’s goal of building accountable, effective, and inclusive leadership for the continent.
The Role of PAP in Future Elections
Senator Mungatana’s call for greater PAP involvement seeks to further this transparency by making sure candidates not only face scrutiny from African governments but also from the people’s representatives. He envisions a collaborative approach between the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union Commission, where PAP members can question candidates and hold them accountable to the people they intend to serve.
As the election process for the AUC leadership intensifies, the demand for greater involvement of the Pan-African Parliament underscores a broader push for more democratic participation in Africa’s continental governance. Ensuring that PAP plays a meaningful role in these elections could enhance the credibility of the process and promote more inclusive leadership across Africa.
In February 2025, when the African Union convenes for its summit, the election of the next Chairperson will not only be a test of the AU’s commitment to equitable representation but also a reflection of how deeply it values the voice of its people.
