African Union gets new chairman as leaders convene in Addis Ababa

ADDIS ABABA – African leaders meeting for the annual summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa have Senegalese President Mack Sall as the chairman of the African Union until next year, according a statement by the African Union.

“The Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) have elected H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, as the new Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2022,” the AU statement seen by Sudans Post reads in part.

“The event took place today, Saturday 5 February 2022 during the ongoing Thirty-Fifth (35th) Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, holding physically at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa under the theme: ‘Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of the Human, Social and Economic Development.'”

The Senegalese leader replaces DR Congo President Felix-Antoine who took the leadership of the continental body from Egyptian President Abdelfattah al Sisi last year.

Below is the leadership of the African Union for 2022.

1. Chairperson of the African Union (AU) – Republic of Senegal,  (West African region)
2. First Vice Chair of the Union – Consultations are still ongoing;
3. Rapporteur – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – (Central African region);
4. Second Vice  Chair of the Union –  Libya,  (Northern Region); and
5. Third Vice  Chair of the Union –  Angola, ( Southern Region).

In his acceptance speech, President Macky Sall said he appreciates the honor coupled with the responsibility and the trust invested in his person, and the members of the new Bureau, to lead the destiny of the Organization for the next one year.

“I thank you and assure you of our commitment to work together with all member countries in the exercise of our mandate” indicated the incoming Chair of the Union.

“I pay tribute to the founding fathers of the Organization. Six decades later, their luminous vision continues to inspire our living together and to illuminate our united march towards the ideal of African integration,” he added.