Gambiaj.com – (ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia) – The African Union Commission has officially closed the nomination process for its Senior Leadership positions, unveiling a comprehensive list of candidates from various African regions. This crucial phase precedes the elections scheduled for February 2025, where the leadership that will steer the Union through its future challenges will be selected.

However, a detailed analysis of the nominees reveals a concerning trend: the West African bloc, represented by ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), has a disproportionately low number of nominees amidst a backdrop of significant political instability in the region.

The compiled list of candidates showcases a strong representation from the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Central regions.

The Eastern Region has multiple candidates for both Chairperson and various Commissioner roles, including Raila Amolo Odinga from Kenya and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti.

The Northern Region also has prominent candidates for Deputy Chairperson and several Commissioner portfolios, such as H.E Ambassador Salma from Algeria and Dr. Hanan Morsy from Egypt.

The Southern Region features a significant number of candidates for Commissioner positions, highlighting figures like Mr. Moses Vilakati from Eswatini and Dr. John Basera from Zimbabwe.

The Central Region is consistently represented across various positions, with candidates like Sanctus Niragaira from Burundi and Ahmat Abdelkrim from Chad.

In stark contrast, the Western Region, represented by ECOWAS, is notably underrepresented. The key nominees from this region include Ambassador Bankole A. from Nigeria and Ms. Marie Odile Attanaso from Benin. This under-representation is particularly concerning given the significant political challenges facing ECOWAS countries.

Many of these nations are grappling with military coups and political instability, as seen in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. Additionally, ongoing economic challenges have resulted in social unrest and increased pressure on national governments.

The Sahel region, in particular, continues to face severe security threats from terrorist groups, further destabilizing the affected nations and limiting their capacity to engage robustly in continental politics.

The minimal representation of West African nominees in the AU leadership selection process is alarming. With fewer candidates, West Africa’s influence in shaping AU policies and initiatives will be significantly diminished, potentially sidelining the region’s priorities and needs.

The lack of strong representation may weaken the solidarity and collective bargaining power of ECOWAS within the AU framework. Furthermore, at a time when strong leadership and representation are crucial to address the multifaceted challenges facing the region, the under-representation could lead to a lack of effective advocacy and support at the continental level.

As the African Union Commission moves forward with its selection process, the disparity in regional representation, particularly the under-representation of West African nominees, cannot be overlooked.

In a region beset by political and security challenges, robust representation in the AU’s senior leadership is imperative to ensure that the unique issues facing West Africa are adequately addressed. The upcoming elections will be a critical juncture for the AU to reaffirm its commitment to equitable regional representation and inclusive governance.

The African Union Commission has provided a detailed list of all nominees for the Senior Leadership positions, including Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and various Commissioner roles, categorized by region and gender. The full list is available upon request and will be forwarded to the High-Level Panel of Eminent Africans for further assessment and shortlisting.