The African Union Commission is facing allegations of being influenced by Algerian diplomats, with the country's vice-president, Selma Malika Haddadi, aiming to secure the commission's presidency in 2029. According to reports, Haddadi has been expanding her cabinet and placing allies in key positions, including the director of human resources. This has raised concerns about the commission's independence and its ability to serve the interests of the African continent.
Haddadi's cabinet has reportedly grown to 20 members, including six Algerians, and is larger than that of the commission's president, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf. The expansion has been made possible by Algerian funding, which has also enabled the hiring of diplomats paid by the Algerian government. This has sparked concerns about the loyalty of these diplomats and their ability to serve the interests of the African Union.
The appointment of Tayeb Toufik Dahar, an Algerian national, as director of human resources has raised questions about the fairness of the selection process. According to internal documents, Youssouf was forced to approve Dahar's appointment, despite the candidate only just meeting the technical requirements for the position. The appointment has been seen as a move to consolidate Haddadi's influence over the commission.
The tensions between Haddadi and Youssouf have been exacerbated by the Algerian government's efforts to promote its own interests within the commission. The Algerian ambassador to Addis Ababa, Mohamed Khaled, has reportedly been pressing Youssouf to ensure a balance between Algerian and Moroccan nationals in key positions. This has been seen as an attempt to promote Algerian influence within the commission.
The rivalry between Algeria and Morocco has been a longstanding issue within the African Union, with both countries vying for influence and support from other member states. The situation has been further complicated by the recent nomination of Fathallah Sijilmassi, a former Moroccan ambassador, as the African Union's special envoy to the G20.
The African Union's reliance on its member states for funding has created an environment in which countries like Algeria can exert significant influence over the organization's operations. As one of the largest contributors to the African Union's budget, Algeria has been able to use its financial muscle to promote its own interests and influence key appointments.
The allegations of Algerian influence on the African Union Commission have raised concerns about the organization's ability to serve the interests of the African continent. If Algeria is able to secure the presidency of the commission in 2029, it could have significant implications for the organization's agenda, budget, and operations.
Key points
- Algerian diplomats have allegedly been influencing appointments within the African Union Commission.
- The commission's vice-president, Selma Malika Haddadi, is aiming to secure the presidency in 2029.
- The situation has raised concerns about the organization's independence and its ability to serve the interests of the African continent.
