GABORONE — As the African Union prepares for its first commission election since rolling out reforms in 2017, analysts are closely watching what is expected to be a stress test of the body's attempt at establishing a competitive and merit-based system.
The AU Commission is the secretariat of the AU, responsible for coordinating and liaising with member states, regional bodies, and external partners. After the elections early next year, it will be led by eight officials — a chairperson, deputy chairperson, and six commissioners responsible for particular portfolios, who are elected for a term of four years, renewable once.
In 2016, African leaders agreed to an institutional reform of the AU, after a review of the organization found that its complicated structure and limited managerial capacity had led to inefficient working methods, poor decision-making, and a lack of accountability — issues that had long been raised by critics.