AUC Chairperson

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission is the Chief Executive Officer, legal representative of the AU and the Commission’s Chief Accounting Officer. He or she is directly responsible to the Executive Council for the discharge of his or her duties. The Chairperson of the Commission is elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once. Election is by secret ballot and a two-thirds majority of Member States eligible to vote. Elections and terms are governed by the AU Assembly Rules of Procedure and the Commission Statutes

The Chairperson’s functions, include:

Assuming overall responsibility for the Commission’s administration and finances
Undertaking measures aimed at promoting and popularising the AU’s objectives and enhancing its performance
Facilitating the functioning, decision-making and reporting of all AU organ meetings, and ensuring conformity and harmony with agreed AU policies, strategies, programmes and projects
Consulting and coordinating with Member States’ governments, other institutions and the RECs on the AU’s activities, and carrying out the AU’s diplomatic representations
Preparing, with the PRC, the AU budget and strategic planning documents
Acting as a depository for all AU and OAU treaties and legal instruments
Appointing and managing Commission staff
Chairing all Commission meetings and deliberations
Preparing the annual report on the AU and its organs’ activities.
Submitting reports requested by the Assembly, Executive Council, Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), committees and any other organs

The current chairperson of the African Union Commission is H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Djibout.

Former Chairpersons of the African Union Commission

2017– 2025 - Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chad
2012–2017- Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, South Africa
2008–2012 - Jean Ping, Gabon
2003–2008 - Alpha Oumar Konaré, Mali
2002–2003 (OAU–AU transition years) - Amara Essy, Côte d’Ivoire (interim)

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Cabinet of the Chairperson

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