The African Union (AU) has announced an August 6 deadline for candidates to apply for the chairperson and deputy chairperson positions of the AU Commission. Aspirants must submit their CVs, vision statements, and strategies for addressing Africa's emerging challenges to their respective countries.

Four candidates have declared their intentions to run: Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga, Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Somalia’s former Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam, and former Seychellois Vice President Vincent Meriton. Their candidacies have received official backing from their nations.

Under AU rules, the chairperson seat will be contested by eastern region countries, while the deputy seat will be contested by the northern region. Gender parity is a factor, with the deputy chairperson being of the opposite gender to the chairperson.

Candidates will be vetted by a Panel of Eminent Africans and must pass a public debate, MjadalaAfrika, to outline their vision and respond to questions from African citizens and stakeholders.

The AU’s election process emphasizes equitable regional representation, gender parity, merit-based selection, and transparent leadership. Countries under AU sanctions, including Sudan, Gabon, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, are ineligible to submit candidates.

The final candidates will be determined after thorough vetting, with elections scheduled for February 2025. The new leaders will play a crucial role in implementing the AU Mandate and Africa’s Agenda 2063.