Outgoing chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat has apologized to the African heads of state and government over what his shortcomings may have brought during his tenure at the continental body.
Speaking during the 38th ordinary AU summit in Addis Ababa Ethiopia on Saturday, February 15, 2025, Faki revealed that the task of managing the AU Commission was immense.
“I know that I may have made mistakes. Certainly, I have made mistakes here and there and missed opportunities to do better. I would like to apologise and ask for forgiveness if my shortcomings have caused any individual or collective harm,” Faki said.
Immense burden
Faki who has held the position for two terms revealed that he may have underestimated the immense burden of steering African countries.
“I wanted to do quickly and better during the two terms that you entrusted to me. I know that I have not done everything; perhaps I underestimated the burden of the task,” Faki observed.
He wished the next set of leaders of the commission success, giving a special shoutout to his secretariat who he said had worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
“I wish full success to our next leadership,” Faki said.
He also called for the immediate release of jailed Niger president Mohamed Bazoum who was incarcerated by the ruling military junta in the country.
Unconditional release
“For the great prisoner of Sahel, President Mohamed Bazoum, whose detention is not justified, he must be released unconditionally,” Faki said.
The African Union is set to enter into a private session where they are expected to vote and determine the next leadership of the AU commission, deputy AU chairperson and six commissioners.
In the coming election, the AUC chairperson must come from Eastern Africa, the commissioners will come from Central, Southern and West Africa while the deputy chairperson will be elected from Northern Africa.
The frontrunners for the AUC chairperson’s seat are Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Djibouti’s foreign minister Mahmoud Youssouf, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato.
Some of the names gunning for the deputy chairperson of the AUC are Salah Francis and Selma Malika from Algeria, Mohamed Fathi and Hanan Morsy from Egypt, Najat Elhajaji from Libya and Latifa Akharbach from Morocco.
The AUC commission chairperson must attain a two-thirds majority of the vote to be deemed duly elected.
By Africa Daily