Algeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Salma Malika Haddadi, was elected as Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Saturday, securing 33 votes. His election caused an explosion of joy from the Algerian delegation. The scenes of jubilation were widely broadcast on social networks, causing shock.
Haddadi’s victory came with a two-thirds majority, defeating the Moroccan candidate who was eliminated in the sixth and penultimate round, while the Libyan and Egyptian candidates withdrew in the first and third rounds, respectively. She replaces Rwandan Monique Nsanzabaganwa, whose term has ended.
Haddadi, 47, is a seasoned diplomat with over two decades of experience in advancing peace and unity across the African continent. She served as the Director-General for African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from March 2023 to April 2024 and, between 2019 and 2023, as Algeria’s Extraordinary Ambassador and Commissioner to Kenya and South Sudan.