On Tuesday, Kenyan President William Ruto officially unveiled the candidature of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) at a ceremony in Nairobi.
The event was attended by several East African Community (EAC) heads of state, including President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. READ FULL STORY
Ruto praised Raila as the best candidate for the position, noting his positive reputation as a zealous Pan-African and his exemplary commitment to Africa’s transformation.
Raila expressed confidence in winning the election in the first round, appealing to fellow East Africans to support his candidature.
Roles of the AUC Chairperson
The AUC Chairperson serves as the Chief Executive Officer, Legal Representative, and Accounting Officer of the African Union.
This role is pivotal in driving the performance of the AU Commission, ensuring the delivery of the continental vision for an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.
One of the primary responsibilities of the Chairperson is to administer and enforce the AU Financial Rules and Regulations, acting as the Accounting Officer of the Union.
In addition to financial oversight, the Chairperson plays a crucial role in promoting and popularizing the AU’s objectives.
They undertake measures to enhance the performance of the Union and are responsible for submitting reports to various AU organs, including the Assembly, Executive Council, and PRC.
The AUC Chairperson also has significant diplomatic responsibilities.
They engage in consultations and coordination with Member States’ governments, other institutions, and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to facilitate AU activities.
Furthermore, the Chairperson is responsible for facilitating AU meetings.
They chair all Commission meetings and deliberations, determining the agenda, ensuring clear information submission, and directing discussions towards consensus.
Salary and perks
The Chairperson of the AUC receives a monthly remuneration of Ksh 2.4 million, along with a monthly housing allowance of Ksh 933,000, which covers both rent and utility expenses, including electricity.
Additionally, the spouse of the AUC Chairperson is eligible for a Spousal Retention Allowance amounting to 5 percent of the Basic Salary, with a maximum limit of Ksh 77,750 per month.
Furthermore, the African Union fully covers the educational fees for the Chairperson’s dependent children attending school in Africa or any region outside of Europe and North America.
