April 25, 2025
The 24th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union was held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (April 15). The session was chaired by Téte António, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the Executive Council. Representing Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos, the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the AU and UNECA, Ambassador Hirut Zemene, addressed the high-level continental gathering of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of AU Member States.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Hirut congratulated Foreign Minister Téte António for his leadership of the Executive Council and assured Ethiopia’s full support during his tenure. The Permanent Representative also congratulated the incoming Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, the four Commissioners, and other elected officials of the AU Commission on their successful election and assumption of their distinguished responsibilities. She reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to working closely with all elected officials for the effective discharge of their duties throughout their term. “As the host country of the African Union Headquarters, we are deeply committed to the success of your mandates,” she said.
Ambassador Hirut highlighted the current extraordinary global challenges, including the adverse impacts of climate change, geopolitical tensions, conflicts, debt burdens, humanitarian crises, and uncertainties in global trade. She emphasized that the AU must play a proactive role in navigating these complex challenges with wisdom and farsighted leadership. She further noted that the AU must be agile and fit-for-purpose to achieve the vision embodied in Agenda 2063—creating a fully integrated, peaceful, and prosperous continent by silencing the guns and implementing other flagship projects.
Speaking on the purpose of the session, Ambassador Hirut underlined the importance of the elections and stressed that the deliberations are crucial to advancing the AU’s vision through the selection of competent candidates.
The Extraordinary Session deliberated on concluding the election process for the remaining two Commissioners of the African Union Commission: Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM), and Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI). It also conducted the election and appointment of one member of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, one member of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL), and one member of the African Space Council.
Accordingly, the Executive Council elected Algeria as a member of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union for a three-year term. It also elected Adamou Moussa from Benin as a member of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL), and Fatima Hamat Daoussa from Chad as a member of the African Space Council.
Regarding the election of commissioners, it is worth recalling that the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, in 2018, adopted a new process to ensure that the election is transparent and merit-based. The Assembly also decided to establish a High-Level Panel of Eminent Africans to conduct a skills- and competency-based assessment and generate a ranked pool of prequalified candidates, from which the Executive Council would elect Commissioners.
In this context, the Executive Council deliberated on the report presented by the Panel of Eminent Africans and the Bureau of the Executive Council on the pre-selection process for the two remaining commissioners.
During the deliberations, Ambassador Hirut commended the Panel of Eminent Personalities for their remarkable work and encouraged them to continue their efforts in line with their entrusted mandate while maintaining the existing rigor. She emphasized the importance of adhering to the rules and principles of the African Union in the selection and election process for the two commissioners of the African Union Commission. She stated that the African Union is a democratic body guided by established rules and principles. She urged that the conclusion of the election of the remaining commissioners from the Central Region be conducted in the spirit of Pan-African consensus and in strict adherence to the Union’s guidelines.
Finally, the Executive Council decided that the election and appointment of the two Commissioners would take place during the 47th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, to be held from 10 to 11 July 2025 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. It also instructed the Panel to continue its work in generating a ranked pool of prequalified candidates for the two remaining portfolios, with technical assistance from the same independent African consultancy firm that supported the selection of the four Commissioners during the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council on 12 February 2025.
It is also worth recalling that the Executive Council appointed Ambassador Kongit Sinegiorgis as a member of the Panel of Eminent Personalities representing East Africa during its 44th Ordinary Session held in February 2024.