Algeria's Selma Malika Haddadi Elected as Vice President of the African Union Commission
Salma Malika Haddadi from Algeria was elected as the Vice President of the African Union Commission, receiving 22 votes. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti became Chairperson with 33 votes. Haddadi aims to enhance administrative functions and cooperation among member states while Algeria seeks a stronger role in Africa amid competition from Morocco.
hassan benyoub 
Salma Malika Haddadi of Algeria was elected as the Vice President of the African Union Commission on Saturday, February 15, securing 22 votes. Her Moroccan rival, Latifa Akharbach, received 26 votes.
Haddadi secured the position after winning two-thirds of the vote in the seventh round of balloting.
Haddadi will work with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, who was elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission at the 38th Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Youssouf garnered two-thirds of the votes from member states, totaling 33 votes out of the 49 eligible countries. The election saw the candidate from Madagascar eliminated in the first round, which left Djibouti and Kenya, represented by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to compete.
Haddadi, 47, is an experienced diplomat with a history of various diplomatic postings. She is expected to help strengthen cooperation among AU member states and promote the Commission's administration.
While Algeria secured the Vice Presidency, Morocco had supported Djibouti's Ali Mahamoud Youssouf for the position of chair.
This election occurs as Algeria aims to solidify its role on the African continent. In her campaign, Haddadi pledged to enhance the AU Commission's administrative and financial management, foster trust and synergy between the Commission and AU member states, and improve coordination within AU institutions and partnerships with international stakeholders.
