Morocco and Algeria Clash in Race for African Union Vice Presidency

Invited to comment on the battle between Morocco and Algeria around the post of Vice-President of the African Union in "La Semaine de JA" on RFI, François Soudan, editor-in-chief of Jeune Afrique, said that four women are running for the post of "number 2 of the AU", including the Moroccan Latifa Akharbach and the Algerian Selma Malika Haddadi. And to comment: "When we know the level of tensions between Algeria and Morocco, sadly illustrated by the brawl between the diplomats of the two countries a few days ago in Tokyo, we can imagine that they will not be giving each other any gifts." This post should go to North Africa.

This is not the first time that a battle over the post of AU Vice-President has pitted Morocco against Algeria. In 2022, the lack of consensus meant that the post of First Vice-President remained vacant. Kenya and the Comoros were eyeing the post, but Nairobi had finally given in. To prevent the Comoros, considered close to Morocco, from acceding to the presidency of the organization, Algiers had hastily sponsored the candidacy of Kenya. Last year, Rabat and Algiers submitted their candidatures, but the "number 2 of the AU" post, which was to be filled, has remained vacant since then. In addition to the vice-presidency, the post of Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission is also to be filled. Who will succeed the Chadian Moussa Faki Mahamat?