Accra, Dec. 14, – Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have unanimously endorsed President John Dramani Mahama as the sub-region’s candidate for the position of Chairperson of the African Union (AU) in 2027.
The decision follows an earlier endorsement by ECOWAS Ministers of Foreign Affairs at a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, paving the way for President Mahama’s candidature ahead of the Union’s rotational leadership schedule.
Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, said the bloc’s leaders threw their full support behind President Mahama due to his demonstrated competence and ability to effectively represent West Africa at the continental level.
He said ECOWAS leaders had absolute confidence in President Mahama’s capacity to shoulder the responsibilities associated with the chairmanship of the African Union.
In a statement, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the endorsement by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government as decisive and overwhelming, noting that it had effectively removed all obstacles to President Mahama’s candidacy.
He explained that the endorsement positioned President Mahama as the AU Chairperson-designate once the rotational leadership of the Union moves to the West African region in 2027.
Mr Ablakwa said President Mahama had expressed profound gratitude to his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him and had assured them of his commitment to meeting the expectations of the African continent.
“Congratulations – you continue to make Ghana proud,” the Foreign Affairs Minister stated.
The Chairperson of the African Union serves as the ceremonial head of the continental body and is elected by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government for a one-year term.
The position rotates among Africa’s five geographical regions, with candidates chosen either by consensus or through a two-thirds majority vote of member states.
The current Chairperson of the African Union is President João Lourenço of Angola, while the Republic of the Congo has indicated its intention to contest the position in 2026.
GHBUSS
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