The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government says it is prioritising its support for Nigeria’s candidacy for African Union (AU) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. 

The authority reached the decision at the end of its February 2 virtual session chaired by the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo. 

The authority’s decision was contained in a communiqué issued by the ECOWAS Parliament on Wednesday in Abuja. 

“On the endorsement of member states’ application for international positions, the authority agreed on the order of priority of the commissioner positions for which ECOWAS nationals are still standing for election by the Assembly of the African Union and made the necessary arbitrations between member states putting forward candidates for the same position. 

“The authority decides to prioritise support for the candidature of Nigeria to the post of commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security,” the communique noted. 

On the nomination of ECOWAS member states to chair the African Union, the ECOWAS presidents nominated Senegal to chair the AU for the 2022 – 2023 period. 

In addition, the authority instructed the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Brou, to take the necessary steps to immediately notify the African Union Commission of the nomination. 

The ECOWAS presidents further instructed the ECOWAS Commission to propose for adoption at the next ordinary session of the authority, a clear mechanism for the candidateship rotation. 

According to the heads of state and government, this ensures that each member state gets a legitimate opportunity to chair the Assembly of the African Union.