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Doha – As the race for the deputy chairperson position at the African Union (AU) Commission heats up, Morocco’s candidate Latifa Akharbach has emerged as a frontrunner.
The election, slated for February 2025, will see a North African representative take up the influential number two post at the pan-African organization.
Akharbach, a key figure in Moroccan diplomacy, boasts an impressive career spanning journalism, government roles, and international missions.
She previously served as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Morocco’s Ambassador to Bulgaria and Tunisia, and currently heads the country’s High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA).
An AU diplomat based in Addis Ababa described Akharbach to The Africa Report as “the perfect embodiment of Morocco’s ambition to consolidate its position within African bodies,” adding that “she is a pragmatic negotiator, capable of uniting people around her, particularly on complex issues.”
Morocco rejoined the AU in 2017 after a long absence and has since been working to strengthen its influence in the organization.
The kingdom has forged strategic alliances and made strides in areas such as counter-terrorism, migration, and economic development.
Read also: Morocco Elected to African Union Advisory Board on Corruption
However, not everyone is thrilled about Morocco’s ascendance in the AU, with some perceiving it as an attempt to impose influence on the continent.
“Some coalitions, particularly in French-speaking countries, see Akharbach as the face of strong, even excessive Moroccan ambitions within the AU,” the Addis Ababa-based diplomat revealed to The Africa Report.
“One of the main challenges for Morocco is to prove that it can play a major role in the management of the AU, beyond purely political matters,” another AU source told The Africa Report.
According to the report, “For Algeria, the battle is just as crucial. It must now fight to retain its position in the face of an increasingly present Morocco.”
Algeria has long been a dominant force in the AU, but Morocco’s return to the organization has shifted the balance of power.
Akharbach appears to have a slight lead over her main rival Selma Malika Haddadi, thanks in part to her network of Francophone and Anglophone allies.
Unlike her Moroccan competitor, the Algerian candidate Haddadi has never headed large administrative structures.
“Haddadi is not known to the general public. Above all, she lacks experience at the head of major organizations,” an AU diplomat told The Africa Report.
However, Egyptian economist Hanan Morsy, currently serving as Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist for the UN Economic Commission for Africa, could emerge as a strong contender if the rivalry between Rabat and Algiers splits the vote, according to The Africa Report.
Intense behind-the-scenes negotiations are expected as the February 2025 election approaches, with each candidate vying for critical support.
The outcome will not only determine the AU’s next deputy chair but also potentially reshape the balance of power in the region, with far-reaching implications beyond the organization’s borders.
