After eight years at the helm of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat has officially stepped down, acknowledging the difficulties of his tenure and the challenges Africa continues to face.
On Saturday, February 15, Faki delivered his final address as AUC chairperson during the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marking the end of his leadership.
As African Heads of State and Government gave him a standing ovation, he reflected on his time in office, admitting to mistakes and lost opportunities.
“I certainly made mistakes and missed chances to do better. If my remarks have ever caused harm, whether individually or otherwise, I sincerely apologise,” he stated. His speech was attended by leaders including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Faki admitted that he may have underestimated the enormity of the role when he assumed office in 2017, saying, “I wanted to do better. Perhaps I miscalculated the weight of the responsibility.” However, he expressed optimism about his next chapter, noting that he now looks forward to newfound freedom.
The outgoing chairperson urged African leaders to embrace Pan-Africanism and put the continent’s interests first, stressing the need for unity and collective progress.
He also expressed confidence in his successor, Angola’s President João Lourenço, who is taking over as the AU chairperson.
“The quiet strength you embody reassures me that your chairmanship will be marked by seriousness and substance. I wish you success,” he said.
Faki took office in January 2017, steering the AUC through a period marked by rising conflicts and political instability across Africa. His tenure saw several coups and unrest, and he leaves office as crises continue to unfold, including the humanitarian emergency in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the ongoing war in Sudan.
Before leading the AUC, Faki served as Chad’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, playing a key role in shaping regional diplomacy.
