AU Leadership Marred by Allegations of Cronyism

It has been reported that the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission Thomas Kwesi-Quartey has launched an attack on his boss, Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahama.

Mr Kwesi-Quartey is said to have penned a letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo outlining the ‘deep divisions within the senior leadership of the AU and shedding more light on previous reports of nepotism and sexual harassment".

Back in November of 2018 a letter by Kwesi-Quartey noted that the Chairperson had acted inappropriately and gone over his head to appoint an old friend as AU Ambassador to Brussels.

Ahmat Awad Sakine, a Chadian diplomat, was appointed as the AU's permanent representative to the European Union in September 2017.

AU commission chair Faki declined to comment.

The 32nd AU Summit is currently under way in Addis Ababa, with heads of state due to meet on February 10 and 11.

In his letter, Kwesi-Quartey also confirmed that he was aware of sexual harassment and gender discrimination within the commission.