The 38th Ordinary Summit of the African Union is underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, featuring opening remarks from key leaders, the announcement of the Bureau of the Assembly for 2025, and elections for the AU Commission Chairperson, where Raila Odinga is a prominent candidate. Other regional leaders will also contribute to discussions, marking a crucial gathering for AU governance.
The 38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) has commenced in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event started with the AU anthem and opening statements from key figures including outgoing AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Statements will also be made by representatives of the League of Arab States, the State of Palestine, and AU Chairperson Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.
Following the opening remarks, the summit will announce the Bureau of the Assembly for the year 2025, including the selection of the AU Chairperson. The outgoing chairperson will deliver a handing-over statement, followed by an acceptance speech from the newly-elected chairperson, Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço. After these formalities, the meeting will proceed to a closed session for newly elected heads of state to express their views.
Newly-elected leaders attending include Joseph Nyumah Boakai (Liberia), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), Duma Gideon Boko (Botswana), Navinchandra Ramgoolam (Mauritius), John Mahama (Ghana), Daniel Francisco Chapo (Mozambique), and Mahamat Déby (Chad). The assembly will then adopt the draft agenda for the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, along with the items under consideration.
Kenya’s Raila Odinga is aiming to replace Moussa Faki as AU Commission Chairperson in the summit’s elections. Competing against him are Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato. To be elected, a candidate requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, with the election involving only member states not under military rule.
The AU Chairperson serves a four-year term, which is renewable once, and the position rotates among five regions of the continent. This meeting allows candidates from the Eastern region to present their bids while the Northern region must nominate a deputy chairperson for the upcoming term.
The 38th Ordinary Summit in Addis Ababa marks a significant event for the African Union, including the elections for AU Commission Chairperson, where Raila Odinga vies against notable contenders. The summit also facilitates critical discussions among newly elected leaders and sets the framework for the assembly’s agenda in the upcoming years. Understanding the election process and the roles of various representatives emphasizes the collaborative effort within the AU for regional development and stability.
Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke
