- The African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson is elected through a rigorous voting process requiring at least 33 votes out of 48 participating nations
- If no candidate secures the required majority in the first round, the election proceeds to subsequent rounds, narrowing down to the top two candidates if necessary.
- In case of a deadlock after three rounds, the election is suspended, and the Deputy Chairperson assumes leadership on an interim basis.
The Voting Process Explained
The election of the AUC chairperson follows a structured procedure to ensure a fair and transparent selection.
First Round:
- All candidates are on the ballot.
- Voting is conducted by secret ballot.
- If a candidate secures 33 votes, they are declared the winner.
Subsequent Rounds:
- If no candidate meets the two-thirds threshold, voting moves to a second round.
- After three rounds, only the top two candidates remain on the ballot.
Final Round & Deadlock Scenarios:
- If neither candidate secures 33 votes, the one with fewer votes must withdraw.
- If the last remaining candidate still fails to get the majority, the election is suspended, and the Deputy Chairperson takes over temporarily.
- For the Deputy Chairperson’s election, if a deadlock occurs, the most senior commissioner is designated to act until new elections are held.
2017 Election: A Case Study
During the 2017 AUC election, Kenya’s Amina Mohamed secured 16 votes in the first round, while Moussa Faki received 14 votes. After seven rounds, Faki surpassed the threshold with 38 votes, securing the chairmanship. Kenya struggled to rally support from East African Community (EAC) partners, including Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi.
2025 Election Dynamics
This year’s election will see a reduced number of voting nations, as seven countries—Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Sudan, and Niger—are suspended for lacking constitutional order. With only 48 nations voting, the 33-vote threshold remains crucial in determining the next chairperson.
The election’s outcome will shape the African Union’s leadership and influence key policy directions in the coming years.
