As the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship reaches its final stages, attention is focused on the three candidates vying for the position: Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato.
With African Heads of State and Government set to cast their votes on Saturday, February 15, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, there is a high expectation that the election will proceed smoothly. However, the African Union (AU) has anticipated certain circumstances that could lead to a suspension of the election, providing clear guidelines on how to handle such situations.
Voting Process and Election Requirements
The election of the AUC Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and Commissioners follows a structured process, requiring a candidate to secure a two-thirds majority of votes from AU member states. Voting can go up to three rounds (ballots) if no candidate achieves the required threshold in the initial rounds.
In cases where no candidate secures the necessary votes, the AU has laid out two specific scenarios under which the election can be suspended:
1. When Only Two Candidates Are in the Race
If the election begins with two candidates and neither secures the required two-thirds majority, the candidate with fewer votes is eliminated, allowing the remaining candidate to proceed to the next round.
However, if the sole remaining candidate still fails to secure the required votes, the AUC Chairperson is mandated to suspend the election.
2. When Only One Candidate Is in the Race
If the election starts with only one candidate and they fail to obtain the required two-thirds majority after the third round of voting, the Chairperson must immediately suspend the election.
What Happens If the Election Is Suspended?
If the election is suspended, the outgoing AUC Chairperson cannot remain in office since their term would have already ended. Instead, the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission assumes the Chairmanship on an interim basis until a new election is held.
In the event the Deputy Chairperson position also remains vacant, the most senior Commissioner (by tenure or age) is appointed to act as Deputy Chairperson until fresh elections take place.
The Role of the AUC Chairperson
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the AU, the legal representative of the Union, and the Commission’s Chief Accounting Officer.
The Chairperson’s responsibilities include:
- Overseeing the administration and financial management of the AU Commission.
- Promoting and popularizing AU objectives.
- Enhancing the performance and influence of the AU across the continent.
- Consulting and coordinating with member states, development partners, and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
- Appointing and managing Commission staff.
- Acting as the custodian of all AU and OAU treaties and legal documents.
Current AUC Leadership and the Transition
The current AUC Chairperson, Moussa Faki, has served his term and is set to be replaced through this election. He previously served as Prime Minister of Chad before assuming leadership of the AU Commission.
With the election expected to take place on February 15, African leaders are keen to see a smooth transition. However, if the outlined circumstances arise, the AU is prepared to ensure leadership continuity and uphold the integrity of the election process.
