View source for Chairperson of the African Union

{{short description|AU's ceremonial head}}
{{Infobox official post
| post                    = Chairperson 
| body                    = the<br /> African Union
| insignia                = 
| insigniasize            = 
| insigniacaption         = 
| insigniaalt             = 
| flag                    = Flag of the African Union.svg
| flagsize                = 
| flagalt                 = 
| flagborder              = 
| flagcaption             = [[Flag of the African Union]]
| image                   = Hi Excellency Mohammed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of Mauritania, at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, 20 January 2020 (cropped).jpg
| imagesize               = 
| alt                     = 
| imagecaption            = 
| incumbent               = [[Mohamed Ould Ghazouani]]
| acting                  = 
| incumbentsince          = 17 February 2024
| department              = 
| style                   = [[Excellency]]
| type                    = 
| status                  = 
| abbreviation            = CPAU
| member_of               = 
| reports_to              = 
| residence               = 
| seat                    = 
| nominator               = 
| appointer               = [[Assembly of the African Union|the Assembly]]
| appointer_qualified     = 
| termlength              = One year
| termlength_qualified    = 
| constituting_instrument = [[Constitutive Act of the African Union|Constitutive Act of the AU]] (article 6)
| precursor               = [[Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity|Chairperson of the OAU]]
| formation               = 9 July 2002
| first                   = [[Thabo Mbeki]]
| last                    = 
| abolished               = 
| superseded_by           = 
| succession              = 
| unofficial_names        = 
| deputy                  = [[Chairperson of the African Union#Bureau|Bureau]]
| salary                  = 
| website                 = {{URL|au.int/en/cpau}} 
| footnotes               = 
}}

The '''Chairperson of the African Union''' is the ceremonial head of the [[African Union]] (AU) elected by the [[Assembly of the African Union|Assembly of Heads of State and Government]] for a one-year term.<ref name="handbook">{{cite web |url=https://au.int/sites/default/files/newsevents/workingdocuments/29183-wd-mfa_au_handbook_-_text_v10b_interactive.pdf#page=17 |title=African Union Handbook | format = PDF |date=2014 |page=15 |publisher=African Union }}</ref> It rotates among the continent's five [[Regions of the African Union|regions]].

A candidate must be selected by consensus or at least two-thirds majority vote by [[Member states of the African Union|member states]]. The chairperson is expected to complete the term without interruption; hence countries with impending elections may be ineligible.<ref name="ghana"/>

The current Chairperson is [[Mauritania|Mauritanian]] President [[Mohamed Ould Ghazouani]]. Both [[Angola]] and [[Botswana]] are seeking the post in 2025;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/southern-africa-and-islands/2023/10/20/luanda-seeks-to-outmanoeuvre-botswana-in-race-for-2025-au-presidency,110078865-bre |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020044455/https://www.africaintelligence.com/southern-africa-and-islands/2023/10/20/luanda-seeks-to-outmanoeuvre-botswana-in-race-for-2025-au-presidency,110078865-bre |url-status=dead |archive-date=2023-10-20 |title=Luanda seeks to outmanoeuvre Botswana in race for 2025 AU presidency |last= |first= |date=20 October 2023 |website= |publisher=Africa Intelligence |access-date=10 April 2024 |quote=}}</ref> and the [[Republic of the Congo]] in 2026.<ref name="Brazzaville">{{cite web |url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/central-africa/2024/03/06/sassou-nguesso-aims-for-au-presidency-in-2026,110188096-bre |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306102358/https://www.africaintelligence.com/central-africa/2024/03/06/sassou-nguesso-aims-for-au-presidency-in-2026,110188096-bre |url-status=dead |archive-date=2024-03-06 |title=Sassou-Nguesso aims for AU presidency in 2026 |last= |first= |date=6 March 2024 |website= |publisher=Africa Intelligence |access-date=10 April 2024 |quote=}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity}}

In 2002, South African President [[Thabo Mbeki]] served as the inaugural chairman of the union. The post rotates annually amongst the five [[Regions of the African Union|geographic regions]] of Africa; and over the years it has assumed the following order: East, North, Southern, Central and West Africa.

In January 2007, the assembly elected Ghanaian President [[John Kufuor]] over Sudan's President [[Omar al-Bashir]] due to the ongoing [[conflict in Darfur]].<ref name="ghana"/><ref>{{cite news |date=29 January 2007 |title=African Union Chooses Kufuor Over Bashir for Chairman |url=http://voices.yahoo.com/african-union-chooses-kufuor-over-bashir-chairman-186881.html?cat=7  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223003440/http://voices.yahoo.com/african-union-chooses-kufuor-over-bashir-chairman-186881.html?cat=7 |archive-date=2014-02-23  |publisher=Yahoo! Voices |access-date=2014-01-31}}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] said it would undermine African Union's credibility and [[Chad]] threatened to withdraw its membership. Western governments also lobbied against Sudan and suggested [[Tanzania]] as a compromise candidate from the East African region. By consensus, Ghana was elected instead as it was celebrating its 50th independence anniversary that year.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 January 2007 |title=Sudan loses AU chair over Darfur |url=http://mg.co.za/article/2007-01-29-sudan-loses-au-chair-over-darfur |newspaper=Mail and Guardian |location=South Africa |access-date=2014-01-31 }}</ref>

[[File:Jakaya Kikwete and Muammar al-Gaddafi, 12th AU Summit, 090202-N-0506A-678.jpg|thumb|left|Gaddafi holding the ceremonial baton after taking over as Chair from Tanzania's [[Jakaya Kikwete]].]]
In January 2010, Libyan Leader [[Muammar Gaddafi]] unsuccessfully tried to extend his tenure by an additional year,<ref>{{cite news |date= 31 January 2010 |title= Gaddafi fails in bid to remain African Union chair |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/ozatp-africa-summit-gaddafi-idAFJOE60U05O20100131 |location= Addis Ababa |publisher= Reuters |access-date= 2014-01-31 |archive-date= 2014-02-02 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140202100526/http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/01/31/ozatp-africa-summit-gaddafi-idAFJOE60U05O20100131 |url-status= live }}</ref> saying more time was needed in order to implement his vision for a [[United States of Africa]] - of which he was a strong proponent. Libya was at the time one of the largest financial supporters of the AU. [[Malawi]] was chosen instead.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |date=28 January 2010 |title=African Union row over Muammar Gaddafi's role |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8485477.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=31 January 2014 }}</ref>

The election of Equatoguinean President [[Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo]] in January 2011 was criticized by human rights activists as it undermined the AU's commitment to democracy.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 January 2011 |title=Equatorial Guinea President Named African Union Head; Rights Groups Object |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-30/equatorial-guinea-s-obiang-named-head-of-african-union-update1-.html |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=31 January 2014 }}</ref>

Congolese Republic President [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]] and Zimbabwean President [[Robert Mugabe]] have both led the AU and its predecessor, the [[Organisation of African Unity]] during the terms 1986–88 and 2006–07, and 1997–98 and 2015–16 respectively.<ref>{{cite news |date=31 January 2014 |title=President voted AU deputy chair |url=http://www.herald.co.zw/president-voted-au-deputy-chair/ |newspaper=The Herald |location=Zimbabwe |access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=31 January 2014 |title=Mugabe Scores A Feat, Set To Head AU at 91 |url=http://www.radiovop.com/index.php/national-news/10577-mugabe-scores-a-feat.html |publisher=radiovop.com |access-date=1 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203005330/http://www.radiovop.com/index.php/national-news/10577-mugabe-scores-a-feat.html |archive-date=3 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2023, both [[Kenya]] and [[Comoros]] were vying for the position.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-africa-and-the-horn/2022/02/11/kenyatta-and-azali-vie-for-au-vice-chairmanship,109733485-eve |title=Kenyatta and Azali vie for AU vice chairmanship |last= |first= |date=11 February 2022 |website=Africa Intelligence |publisher=Indigo Publications |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809082039/https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-africa-and-the-horn/2022/02/11/kenyatta-and-azali-vie-for-au-vice-chairmanship,109733485-eve |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=2022-08-09 |quote=}}</ref> Comorian President [[Azali Assoumani]] thanked Kenyan President [[William Ruto]]  for his country's withdrawal.<ref name ="comoros">{{cite web |url=https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20230218/president-azali-assoumani-union-comoros-takes-over-new-chairperson |title=PRESS RELEASE: President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros, Takes Over as the New Chairperson of the African Union (AU) for 2023 |last= |first= |date= 18 February 2023 |website= |publisher=African Union |access-date=19 February 2023 |quote=}}</ref> In 2024, Both [[Algeria]] and [[Morocco]] were interested in the position in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/north-africa/2023/01/19/algiers-and-rabat-battle-for-2024-african-union-presidency,109903813-eve |title=Algiers and Rabat battle for 2024 African Union presidency |last= |first= |date=19 January 2023 |website= |publisher=Africa Intelligence |access-date=19 February 2023 |quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125212224/https://www.africaintelligence.com/north-africa/2023/01/19/algiers-and-rabat-battle-for-2024-african-union-presidency,109903813-eve |archive-date=25 January 2023}}</ref> [[Mauritania]] was elected instead.

==Role==
The incumbent chairs the biannual summit meetings of the assembly and represents the continent in various international fora such as [[Group of Seven|G7]], [[Tokyo International Conference on African Development|TICAD]], [[Forum on China–Africa Cooperation|FOCAC]] and [[List of G-20 summits|G20]] summits.<ref name="handbook"/>

They also assist in resolving crises on the continent as an elder statesman. It has been suggested that liaison offices be established to prevent friction between the incumbent and the [[Chairperson of the African Union Commission|Commission Chairperson]] at the headquarters in [[Addis Ababa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7966318.stm |title=African Union's eventful year with Gaddafi |last=Blunt |first=Elizabeth |date=27 March 2009 |website= |publisher=BBC |access-date=2 January 2022 |quote=}}</ref>

===Elder Statesman===
In 2008, following [[Kenya]]'s [[2007–2008 Kenyan crisis|post-election crisis]], AU Chairman Jakaya Kikwete was instrumental in facilitating the opposing sides to agree to a [[Government of National Unity (Kenya)|Government of National Unity]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301680911 |title= The role of Jakaya Kikwete in the mediation of the Kenyan Post-election conflict, 2008 |author=MUFUAYIA ACHERO DAVID  |date=June 2015 |website= |access-date= |quote=}}</ref> Kikwete also backed the [[2008 invasion of Anjouan|invasion of Anjouan]] by sending an AU Force to assist the [[Comoros]] federal government to remove renegade leader [[Mohamed Bacar]].

==List of Chairpersons==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| Portrait
! rowspan=2| Name
! colspan=2| Term of office
! rowspan=2| Country 
! rowspan=2| Region
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
! Took office
! Left office
|-
| 1 || [[File:SthAfrica.ThaboMbeki.01 (cropped).jpg|100px]] || [[Thabo Mbeki]] || 9 July 2002 || 10 July 2003 || {{flag|South Africa}} || [[Southern Africa]] ||<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.as.miami.edu/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/content-assets/euc/docs/papers/BabarindeEUasModellong07edi.pdf |title= The EU as a Model for the African Union: the Limits of Imitation |last1= Babarinde |first1= Olufemi |date= April 2007 |website= miami.edu }}</ref>
|-
| 2 || [[File:Joaquim Chissano 2004-08-31.jpg|100px]] || [[Joaquim Chissano]] || 10 July 2003 || 11 July 2004 || {{flag|Mozambique}} || [[Southern Africa]] || <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.anc.org.za/docs/anctoday/2003/at26.htm |title= High hopes for AU Maputo Assembly |date= 4–10 July 2003 |publisher= ANC Today |access-date= 30 January 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131009220746/http://anc.org.za/docs/anctoday/2003/at26.htm |archive-date= 9 October 2013 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
|-
| 3 || [[File:Olusegun Obasanjo 1-2.jpg|100px]] || [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] || 11 July 2004 || 24 January 2006 || {{flag|Nigeria}} || [[West Africa]] || <ref>{{cite news |date= 12 July 2004 |title= Obasanjo Elected AU Chairman |url= http://allafrica.com/stories/200407070141.html |location= Addis Ababa |publisher= Vanguard |access-date= 2014-01-31}}</ref>
|-
| 4 || [[File: Denis Sassou Nguesso 1986 cropped.jpg|100px]] || [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]] || 24 January 2006 || 24 January 2007 || {{flag|Republic of Congo}} || [[Central Africa]] || <ref>{{cite news|date= 24 January 2006 |title=CONGO: Profile of Denis Sassou-Nguesso, new AU head |url= http://www.irinnews.org/report/57904/congo-profile-of-denis-sassou-nguesso-new-au-head  |location= Brazzaville |publisher=IRIN |access-date=2014-01-31}}</ref>
|-
| 5 || [[File:John Kufuor 1-1.jpg|100px]] || [[John Kufuor]] || 30 January 2007 || 31 January 2008 || {{flag|Ghana}} || [[West Africa]] || <ref name="ghana">{{cite news |date= 29 January 2007 |title= President Kufuor elected Chairman of AU |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/President-Kufuor-elected-Chairman-of-AU-118128 |location= Accra |publisher=Ghana News Agency |website=ghanaweb.com |access-date= 2014-01-31}}</ref>
|-
| 6 || [[File:Jakaya Kikwete 2011 crop.jpg|100px]] || [[Jakaya Kikwete]] || 31 January 2008 || 2 February 2009 || {{flag|Tanzania}} || [[East Africa]] || <ref>{{cite news |last= Appel |first= Michael |date= 2 February 2008 |title= Kikwete takes over AU Chair |url= http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/comments/kikwete_takes_over_au_chair/ |publisher= Pambazuka News |access-date= 2014-01-31 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140201221043/http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/comments/kikwete_takes_over_au_chair/ |archive-date= 1 February 2014 }}</ref>
|-
| 7 || [[File: Moamer el Gadafi (cropped).jpg|100px]] || [[Muammar Gaddafi]] || 2 February 2009 || 31 January 2010 || {{flagdeco|Libyan Arab Jamahiriya}} [[Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|Libya]] || [[North Africa]] || <ref>{{cite news |date= 2 February 2009 |title= Gaddafi vows to push Africa unity |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7864604.stm |work=BBC News |access-date= 2014-01-31}}</ref>
|-
| 8 || [[File:Bingu wa Mutharika 2009-09-23.jpg|100px]] || [[Bingu wa Mutharika]] || 31 January 2010 || 31 January 2011 || {{flag|Malawi|2010}} || [[Southern Africa]] || <ref>{{cite news |date= 31 January 2010 |title= Malawi president takes over as AU president |url= https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g8cvj3048f4WEB6UQuim80MKqhVA  |publisher=AFP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230205627/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g8cvj3048f4WEB6UQuim80MKqhVA |archive-date=2011-12-30  |access-date= 2014-01-31}}</ref>
|-
| 9 || [[File:Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the White House in 2014.jpg|100px]] || [[Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo]] || 31 January 2011 || 29 January 2012 || {{flag|Equatorial Guinea}} || [[Central Africa]] || <ref>{{cite news |last= Hennig |first= Rainer Chr. |date= 1 February 2011 |title= New AU leader Obiang calls criticism un-African |url= http://www.afrol.com/articles/37211 |publisher=Afrol News |access-date= 2014-01-31}}</ref>
|-
| 10 || [[File:Yayi Boni.jpg|100px]] || [[Yayi Boni]] || 29 January 2012 || 27 January 2013 || {{flag|Benin}} || [[West Africa]] ||<ref>{{cite press release |date= 29 January 2012 |title= President Thomas Yayi Boni elected as Chairperson of the African Union for 2012 |url= https://au.int/sites/default/files/pressreleases/24743-pr-29.01.12_18eme_sommet_-_cp_fr_-_election_du_president_de_lua_en_2_.pdf |location= Addis Ababa |publisher= Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission }}</ref>
|-
| 11 || [[File:Hailemariam Desalegn 2014.jpg|100px]] || [[Hailemariam Desalegn]] || 27 January 2013 || 30 January 2014 || {{flag|Ethiopia}} || [[East Africa]] ||<ref>{{cite news |last= Stainburn |first= Samantha |date= 28 January 2013 |title= Hailemariam Desalegn, Ethiopia's PM, is new African Union Assembly chairman |url= http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/130128/hailemariam-desalegn-ethiopia-s-pm-new-african-union-assembly-ch |publisher= GlobalPost |access-date= 31 January 2014}}</ref>
|-
| 12 || [[File:Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz August 2014 (cropped).jpg|100px]] || [[Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz]] || 30 January 2014 || 30 January 2015 || {{flag|Mauritania|1959}} || [[North Africa]] ||<ref>{{cite news |date=30 January 2014 |title=President Abdel Aziz of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania elected African Union Chairperson |url=https://au.int/en/newsevents/29211/president-abdel-aziz-islamic-republic-mauritania-elected-african-union-chairperson |location=Addis Ababa |publisher=African Union |access-date=21 October 2018 |archive-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021111706/https://au.int/en/newsevents/29211/president-abdel-aziz-islamic-republic-mauritania-elected-african-union-chairperson |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| 13 || [[File:Mugabe 1979 a.jpg|100px]] || [[Robert Mugabe]] || 30 January 2015 || 30 January 2016 || {{flag|Zimbabwe}} || [[Southern Africa]] ||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN0L313I20150130 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130152759/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN0L313I20150130 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2015 |title=Zimbabwe's Mugabe, 90, becomes African Union chairman |date=30 January 2015 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref>
|-
| 14 || [[File:Idriss Déby at the White House in 2014.jpg|100px]] || [[Idriss Déby]] || 30 January 2016 || 30 January 2017 || {{flag|Chad}} || [[Central Africa]] ||<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=African Union |author-link=African Union  |user=_AfricanUnion |number=693398898958794752 |date=30 January 2016 |title=Prez Idriss Itno Déby of #Chad takes over as #AU Chairperson|retweet= |access-date=30 January 2016 |language=English}}</ref>
|-
| 15 || [[File:Alpha Conde - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2012.jpg|100px]] || [[Alpha Condé]] || 30 January 2017 || 28 January 2018 || {{flag|Guinea}} || [[West Africa]] ||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://au.int/web/en/pressreleases/20170130/president-alpha-conde-guinea-has-been-elected-new-chairperson-african-union |title=President Alpha Conde of Guinea Has Been Elected New Chairperson of the African Union (AU) |date=30 January 2017 |publisher=African Union |access-date=31 January 2017 }}</ref>
|-
| 16 || [[File:Paul Kagame 2014.jpg|100px]] || [[Paul Kagame]] || 28 January 2018 || 10 February 2019 || {{flag|Rwanda}} || [[East Africa]] || <ref name="kagame">{{cite web |url=https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20180128/president-paul-kagame-elected-new-chairperson-african-union-year-2018 |title=President Paul Kagame, Elected as New Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2018 |date=28 January 2018 |publisher=African Union |access-date=29 January 2018 }}</ref>
|-
| 17 || [[File:AbdelFattah Elsisi (cropped).jpg|100px]] || [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]] || 10 February 2019 || 9 February 2020  || {{flag|Egypt}} || [[North Africa]] ||<ref name="sisi">{{cite web |url=https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20190210/32nd-african-union-au-heads-state-and-government-summit-kicks |title=The 32ND African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit Kicks Off  |date=10 February 2019 |publisher=African Union |access-date=10 February 2019 }}</ref>
|-
| 18 || [[File:Mr. Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General with H. E. Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, President, South Africa (cropped) (cropped).jpg|100px]] || [[Cyril Ramaphosa]] || 9 February 2020 || 6 February 2021 || {{flag|South Africa}} || [[Southern Africa]] || <ref name=cyrilsupport>{{cite news|url=https://todaynewsafrica.com/south-african-president-cyril-ramaphosa-elected-african-union-chairperson-as-continent-vows-to-silence-the-guns-boost-trade-and-close-gender-gap/|title=South African President Cyril Ramaphosa elected African Union Chairperson as continent vows to "silence the guns," boost trade and close gender gap |author=Simon|publisher=Today News Africa|date=February 10, 2020|access-date=February 10, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 19 || [[File:Félix Tshisekedi - 2019 (cropped).jpg|100px]] || [[Félix Tshisekedi]] || 6 February 2021 || 5 February 2022 || {{flag|Democratic Republic of Congo}} || [[Central Africa]] || <ref name ="felix">{{cite web |url=https://au.int/en/articles/president-felix-antoine-tshisekedi-tshilombo-elected-chair-au-year-2021 |title=President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo Elected Chair Of The AU For The Year 2021 |last= |first= |date=22 February 2021 |website= |publisher=African Union |access-date= |quote=}}</ref>
|-
| 20 || [[File:President Macky Sall in 2020.jpg|100px]] || [[Macky Sall]] || 5 February 2022 || 18 February 2023 || {{flag|Senegal}} || [[West Africa]] ||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20220205/president-macky-sall-senegal-takes-over-new-chairperson-african-union-au-2022|title=PRESS RELEASES President Macky Sall of Senegal, Takes Over as the New Chairperson of the African Union (AU) for 2022|publisher=African Union|date=February 5, 2022|accessdate=February 5, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| 21 || [[File:President Azali Assoumani.jpg|100px]] || [[Azali Assoumani]] || 18 February 2023 || 17 February 2024 || {{flag|Comoros}} || [[East Africa]] ||<ref name ="azali">{{cite news|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230218-new-african-union-chair-brings-controversial-record-to-top-post|title=New African Union chair brings controversial record to top post|author=AFP|publisher=France 24|date=18 February 2023|accessdate=18 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 22 || [[File:Мухаммед Ульд Газуани 02 (18-02-2022).jpg|100px]] || [[Mohamed Ould Ghazouani]] || 17 February 2024 || ''Incumbent'' || {{flag|Mauritania}} || [[North Africa]] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ena.et/web/eng/w/eng_4033947|title=President of Mauritania Elected As New Chairperson of AU|website=ENA English|accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref>
|}

===Bureau===
The Chairperson is assisted by a bureau of four vice chairpersons including a rapporteur.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=_AfricanUnion |number=1758927801686614038 |title=Bureau of the Assembly 2024..}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Portrait !! Incumbent !! Country !! Region !! Title
|-
| [[File:João Lourenço 2023.jpg|75px]] || [[João Lourenço]] || {{flag|Angola}} || Southern Africa || First Vice Chairperson
|-
| [[File: Denis Sassou Nguesso 1986 cropped.jpg|75px]] || [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]]<ref name="Brazzaville"/> || {{flag|Republic of Congo}} || Central Africa || Second Vice Chairperson
|-
| [[File:Nana Akufo Addo, Jan. 2020.jpg|75px]] || [[Nana Akufo-Addo]] || {{flag|Ghana}} || West Africa || Third Vice Chairperson
|-
| [[File:Azali Assoumani in New York City on September 19, 2023 - 53199606411 (cropped).jpg|75px]] || [[Azali Assoumani]] || {{flag|Comoros}} || East Africa || Fourth Vice Chairperson (Rapporteur)
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Portal|Africa}}

==External links==
* [http://au.int/en/cpau Official website]

{{African Union}}
{{African Union chairpersons}}

[[Category:Chairpersons of the African Union| ]]