President Tebboune Participates in 38th African Union Summit: Algeria Advances its Strategic Influence

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | February 13th, 2025 — Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Thursday to lead the Algerian delegation at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU). This summit, held on Saturday and Sunday, serves as a crucial platform for Africa’s leadership to navigate emerging crises, institutional reforms, and the election of key officials to the AU Commission.

A significant highlight of the summit is the highly contested race for the presidency of the AU Commission, an influential position that shapes the bloc’s strategic direction. This year, the presidency is reserved for a representative from East Africa, with three candidates vying for the role: former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and former Malagasy Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato. To succeed Chadian incumbent Moussa Faki Mahamat, a candidate must secure a two-thirds majority from the AU’s 55 member states—a feat that often necessitates complex regional alliances and diplomatic maneuvering.

Amid this intense political landscape, Algeria has put forth a high-profile nomination for the vice-presidency of the AU Commission. Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Algeria’s permanent representative to the AU and ambassador in Addis Ababa, stands as the country’s distinguished candidate. The election, conducted by secret ballot, requires a two-thirds majority from voting member states. Algeria’s strategic bid underscores its commitment to reinforcing its influence within the AU’s decision-making structures.

The AU summit will also confirm the appointment of six commissioners who were elected by the AU Executive Council. These officials will assist the Commission’s president in managing the bloc’s multifaceted challenges. However, the election of five new members to the Peace and Security Council (PSC) has been postponed due to the failure to secure the required two-thirds majority for North Africa’s candidate. Algeria, which garnered 30 votes out of the 33 needed, remains in a strong position to reclaim its seat on the PSC in next month’s elections.

Key Summit Agenda: Institutional Reforms, Continental Free Trade, and Reparations

Beyond leadership elections, the summit will tackle critical issues shaping Africa’s future, including institutional reform of the AU, progress on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and pressing security challenges. One of the most anticipated discussions centers on reparations for historical injustices suffered by Africans and people of African descent.

Under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” the summit will explore a comprehensive framework for addressing the lingering impacts of colonization, slavery, apartheid, and systemic discrimination. The AU aims to establish a unified African stance on reparations, focusing on historical recognition, financial restitution, land restoration, cultural preservation, political reforms, international accountability, and community empowerment. The initiative seeks to foster a sense of historical justice while advancing socio-economic development across the continent and within the African diaspora.

Security and Sovereignty: Addressing Africa’s Prolonged and Emerging Crises

Security remains at the forefront of the AU agenda, with prolonged conflicts in Somalia, South Sudan, the Sahel, and the Great Lakes region exacerbating instability. The summit will also address emerging crises in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where escalating tensions demand immediate diplomatic intervention. A closed-door session among African heads of state, scheduled for Friday, will deliberate on concrete solutions to these pressing security concerns.

In a landmark move, the summit will discuss the establishment of an African credit rating agency, a significant step toward enhancing the continent’s financial sovereignty. The proposed agency aims to counterbalance the dominance of Western credit rating institutions, which have long been criticized for imposing biased assessments that hinder Africa’s economic prospects. The initiative underscores Africa’s determination to assert greater control over its financial narrative and development trajectory.

President Tebboune’s participation in the summit reaffirms Algeria’s unwavering commitment to African unity, stability, and economic integration. By positioning itself at the heart of key AU reforms and high-stakes elections, Algeria is reinforcing its leadership role within the continent’s premier political institution. With a strong bid for the vice-presidency of the AU Commission and a near-certain return to the PSC, Algeria continues to assert its strategic influence in shaping Africa’s future.

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