AU Commission Election Outcomes: Reflections and Implications
Date: 20 February 2025
Time: 14:00 – 16:00 SAST
Platform: Via Zoom
Registration: Click here
Overview: The 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of the Heads of State and Government was held from 15 to 16 February at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a focus on the AU’s theme for the year 2025: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” During this meeting, the senior AU Commission leadership was elected. Djiboutian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mahamoud Ali Youssouf was elected as the new AU Commission chairperson, and Selma Haddadi, Algerian ambassador to Ethiopia, as the new AU Commission deputy chairperson. Thus, the webinar intends to reflect on AU leadership and offer sustainable insights for prospects. This meeting is expected to be attended by policymakers, diplomats, civil society actors, academics, and government officials.
Ms Zoliswa Ntsoko (South Africa) is the Institute’s Administrative Assistant who assists with general administration and research. She is a seasoned professional with a background in Disaster Management. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Management from Milpark Business School, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management from Regenesys Business School. She also holds certificates in Project Management, and in Disaster Management. Previously, she has worked as a Disaster Management Specialist at the City of Johannesburg – Disaster Management Centre.
Ms Cecilia Lwiindi Nedziwe-Moyo is the Research Coordinator at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation. She previously served as a Regional Coordinator at the Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa (CPIA) in Zimbabwe between 2007 and 2013. She completed her master’s degree in International Studies, Peace, and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Australia as a Rotary Peace Scholar. She has just completed her doctoral studies at Rhodes University. Her areas of interest include: gender, foreign policy, regional organisations and conflict resolution.
Ms Thembeka Somtseu is a seasoned professional with a background in the textile and construction sectors. She holds a National Diploma in Business Administration from the Durban University of Technology, and studied Development Communication and Media Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. She worked as a corporate communications specialist for more than ten years, serving in both local and multinational companies.