The Assembly of Heads of State and Government has handed Moussa Faki Mahamat another term at the helm of the African Union Commission.

Mr Mahamat was voted in again at the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly on February 6 where the heads of states held a virtual conference. The Chadian will continue leading the commission for another 4-year term, which will run from 2021 to 2024. He steered the commission in past four years (2017 to 2020).

At the summit of the AU, Faki is the Chief Executive Officer, the legal representative of the AU and the commission’s Chief Accounting Officer.

The press release from the AU reads: ‘‘Faki will be deputised by Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa from Rwanda. Dr. Nsanzabaganwa secured the majority of votes in a highly contested position which saw two other female candidates vying for the post. Dr. Nsanzabaganwa becomes the first female to occupy the position of the Deputy Chairperson.

Election of the AU Commission Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson by the Assembly is conducted by secret ballot and a two-thirds majority of Member States eligible to vote.’’

The voting exercise also saw the election of six commissioners into the executive council of the commission.

They include Amb. Bankole Adeoye from Nigeria who was picked to head Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Josefa Sacko (Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment), Amb. Albert Muchanga (Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining), and Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid  who was picked to head Infrastructure and Energy.