Somalia’s Former Deputy Prime Minister Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam bids for African Union Commission Chairperson post
The process of choosing a new African Union Commission Chairperson, to replace the incumbent Moussa Faki Mahamat, is upon us. The veteran Chadian diplomat and politician, took over from Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini-Zuma, in 2017.
Dr Dhlamini-Zuma is the only woman to have held the high-profile job of running the executive arm of the African Union in its history. She served only one term and opted not to go for the second one.
But now it’s time for new shoes to fill the continental body’s most senior position. And although the election will only be held in February 2025 when Faki Mahamat’s maximum two, four-year term will end, the process has started rolling, and names of those vying to replace him are beginning to be revealed. Member States have until May 2024 to put their candidates forward. At the time of writing, only two names had been confirmed.
One such is Somalia’s Fawzia Yusuf H.Adam. So far, the only female confirmed amidst a flurry of media speculation about others that may join the race before the May deadline.
The only other confirmed candidate at the moment is veteran Kenyan opposition politician Raila Odinga.
Fawzi’s candidacy has been officially endorsed by the President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Hamsa Abdi Barre, the country’s Prime Minister.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter) Daud Aweis, Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism stated:
“Following key diplomatic achievements such as lifting the arms embargo, debt relief, and joining the EAC, Somalia is now well-placed to play a major role in the world. Delighted to put forward veteran diplomat Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam as our nominee for the top position at the AU,”
Who is Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam?
On a continent where many accomplished women routinely receive little or no limelight, you may be excused for not having heard of, or knowing much about Fawzia Yusuf H.Adam. And yet here is an audacious woman with admirable credentials.
She is currently a Member of the Somali Federal Parliament (since 2014) and has previously served as Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs (Somalia’s first female in the latter post). She stood and was the only female candidate in the 2022 Somalia Presidential race.
But that’s not all! A mother of three, Fawzia is also a passionate educationist who believes in the power and benefits of a literate population. She is the founder and Chair of Hargeisa University, a widely celebrated education institution, that has produced many a sharp mind.
She is also a fervent women’s rights advocate who considers gender equality not only an important matter of social justice but also a key driver to the much-needed economic growth and sustainable development in Africa.
Although it is early days in the race, fronting and supporting a female candidate for the next AUC Chairperson is welcome news for the continent.
During her tenure, Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini-Zuma strongly advocated for more and wider gender representation at the African Union. In the 2017 race for her successor, it fielded two female candidates, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi from Botswana and Kenya’s Amina Muhammed. Amina very narrowly lost the vote to Faki Mahamat, the incumbent.
The role of AUC Chairperson comes with immense responsibilities, including the “overall responsibility for the Commission’s administration and finances; promoting and popularising the AU’s objectives, and enhancing its performance” to highlight snippet.
So why is she running for this tasking position? We will seek to find out answers from her as the story and this race develops. Therefore, watch this space.
