Moussa Faki Mahamat re-elected as African Union Commission chairperson

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Moussa Faki Mahamat re-elected as African Union Commission chairperson

10:32 CAT | 08 Feb 2021

Photo: Twitter / @AUC_MoussaFaki

Chad’s Moussa Faki Mahamat was re-elected the chairperson of the African Union Commission on Saturday during the two-day summit.

With no one else in the running, it comes as no surprise.

Faki got 51 votes out of 55 with three abstentions and one other member being ineligible to vote. His victory is the highest in the AU’s history.

He will be deputised by Rwandan banker, Dr Monique Nsanzabagwana

Under new rules, a chairperson and deputy cannot be of the same gender.

Deeply humbled by the overwhelming and historic vote of confidence by AU Member States by voting 51 out 55 to extend my mandate at the helm of the AUC Commission for another 4 years. My congratulations to @mnsanzabaganwa who was elected as deputy Chairperson. Together we WILL. pic.twitter.com/vyf2tCbwSW

— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) February 6, 2021

But the duo will face a tough test as Africa battles the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than three million people.

The continent was not as badly hit compared to the United State and Europe during the outbreak in March, but many African countries are now battling damaging second waves and are under pressure to procure sufficient vaccine doses.

While vaccination programmes have begun in some countries on the continent, it has been much slower than in wealthier nations, and health experts and political leaders have warned that “vaccine hoarding” by wealthy nations is putting lives at risk in African countries.

Ahead of the AU’s summit Faki said:“There is a vaccine nationalism on the rise, with other rich countries jumping the queue, some even pre-ordering more than they require.”

Meanwhile, South African president Cyril Ramphosa told the bloc’s summit that more needs to be done especially access to loans on favourable terms despite resources from the IMF and World Bank.

Another priority for the AU will be managing conflicts in the Sahel, Ethiopia’s Tigray and Mozambique.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has also taken over the helm from South Africa to serve as a one-year chairmanship of the union.

[Read] 34th #AUSummit strives to ensure that, as a continental body, no country is left behind in the #COVID19 responses “as we enhance integration” @ https://t.co/3h179O9MY7 pic.twitter.com/RhO0j92sLN

— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) February 6, 2021

Je viens d’assister à la séance de clôture du sommet de l’Union Africaine. J’ai saisi cette opportunité pour remercier mes pairs Chefs d’Etat pour la confiance renouvelée à notre compatriote Moussa Faki Mahamat. pic.twitter.com/XaDXuKrKWt

— Maréchal Idriss Deby Itno (@MIdrissDebyItno) February 7, 2021

Congratulations my dear brother @AUC_MoussaFaki on your re-election as Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Well done! Together, we will fast-track Africa’s development.

— Akinwumi A. Adesina (@akin_adesina) February 7, 2021

Your steadfast vision,leadership & understated humour during a year unlike no other, inspired the Continent & the world to recognise Africa’s lesson of solidarity & experience as key to the global #Covid19 response. It was a distinct honour, Mr President,to serve alongside you. https://t.co/tHX5F234mC

— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) February 7, 2021

Epandu enene, dear Brother, for your unwavering championing of the need for transparent systems and institutions within our Union, and your wise counsel. https://t.co/yvIHdZanJ0

— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) February 6, 2021

Congratulations my dear brother @AUC_MoussaFaki on your re-election as Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Well done! Together, we will fast-track Africa’s development.

— Akinwumi A. Adesina (@akin_adesina) February 7, 2021

Source: Africa News