{UAH} Allan/Edmund/Pojim/WBK: Now race for African Union top seat starts afresh - News
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Now race for African Union top seat starts afresh
African Union member states have until the end of September 2016 to nominate candidates for the next AU Commission chairperson and lobby as many of the 54 partner states as possible before January 2017. But many eyes are on former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete(pictured), who has been proposed by Sudan and supported by many member states, though is yet to declare his interest in the post. PHOTO | FILE
The nomination process for the next African Union Commission chairperson has opened afresh as debate continues on whether having been a former head of state should be a key consideration for the position.
Member states have until the end of September to nominate candidates and lobby as many of their 54 partner states as possible before January. But many eyes are on former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete, who has been proposed by Sudan and supported by many member states, though is yet to declare his interest in the post.
The July AU Heads of state Summit in Kigali failed to elect a chairperson to succeed Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, after the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), led by Senegal insisted that none of the three candidates had the capacity or experience to steer the continental body.
The candidates were Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Botswana Foreign Minister, Dr Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, former vice-president of Uganda and Agapito Mba Mokuy, Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea. None managed the two-thirds threshold in Kigali.
Sources in Addis Ababa say the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is still supporting Dr Venson-Moitoi, and she is likely to apply again. Ecowas is rooting for a powerful candidate because it feels the AU Commission leadership and the continental body in general have not delivered in dealing with challenges in the West African region including crises such as the Burkina Faso uprisings and the Mali conflict.
Those pushing for Kikwete want a personality who can quickly and directly engage the leadership of countries undergoing political crisis to find quick solutions, as well as somebody who can command respect globally.
According to Nichodemus Minde, a Tanzanian political commentator, Mr Kikwete would be better placed to tackle the policy crises facing Africa because of his track record as foreign affairs minister for 10 years under president Benjamin Mkapa, and his diplomatic experience.
"As president, he was also instrumental in regional and continental activity and was chairman of the AU in 2008; Mr Kikwete has built an excellent relationship with many of the current heads of state. Second, his experiences in diplomatic circles will help him navigate the challenges within the AU," he said.
Dr Benson Bana, a political scientist at the University of Dar es Salaam, said that while Mr Kikwete has the competence and the experience, "His current role as mediator in Libya is taxing enough and he probably needs some rest after serving for two terms as head of state."
"The AU Commission Chair's post is now a very sensitive and powerful position because Africa needs somebody of stature who can effectively run the affairs of the African Union without hindrance," said Shoo Innocent, a lecturer at Tanzania's Centre for Foreign Relations.
However, some technocrats at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa are concerned that a former head state would present protocol challenges dealing with former peers, given the experience with former Mali president, Alpha Omar Konare who was Chair from 2003-2008.
Kennedy Abwao, a Kenyan journalist who has covered AU activities for over 10 years, said that some heads of state are wary of creating a civil servant from among their ranks — albeit retired — which would give a former head of state an executive mien and authority that member states may not comfortable with.
Additional reporting by Joseph Mwamunyange.
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