From Durban to Maputo: A review of the 2003 summit of the African Union

The AU Commission is the engine of the Union and the quality of the commissioners that are elected is key to the functioning of the AU.

In the preparation for the AU Summit, the dominant issue was the election of the 10 Commissioners for the Commission of the African Union. The chairman and the deputy chairman of the Commission have to be elected directly by the heads of state, and the remaining eight commissioners by the Executive Council. Similar to the Commission of the European Union, the AU Commission is the engine of the Union and the quality of the commissioners that are elected is key to the functioning of the AU.

Author

Dr Jakkie Cilliers is executive director of the ISS.