The recent election for the Vice-Presidency of the African Union Commission (AUC) has sparked debate, particularly following Algeria’s triumph, which was met with mixed reactions across the continent.
Selma Malika Haddadi, Algeria’s ambassador to Addis Ababa and its permanent representative to the African Union, secured the position after a tightly contested election. The process extended to six rounds, with fluctuating vote margins ranging from tied results to slight differences of two to four votes. Ultimately, in the final round, Haddadi was the sole remaining candidate and needed to secure two-thirds of the votes to win.
While Algerian media and officials celebrated the outcome as a major victory, some observers have raised questions about the integrity of the process, hinting at the influence of financial and diplomatic maneuvering. Many noted that Morocco’s candidate, Latifa Akherbach, had presented a strong vision and credentials, garnering widespread recognition for her performance.
Despite this outcome, Morocco maintains a significant presence within the AU Commission. Diplomat Fathallah Sijilmassi holds the influential role of Director General of the AU, effectively making him the third-highest-ranking official within the Commission.
Furthermore, the presidency of the AUC was decisively won by Djiboutian Foreign Minister Ali Mahmoud Youssef. Djibouti has openly expressed support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and has reinforced diplomatic ties by opening a Consulate General in Dakhla.
The position of Vice-President remains purely administrative and does not carry the political weight that is attached to the position of President of the Commission.
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