The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the highest decision-making body of the regional bloc, has unanimously approved President John Mahama’s candidature for the position of African Union Chairperson.

The decision follows a unanimous endorsement by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, which named President Mahama as the sole candidate from the sub-region to assume the rotating African Union chairmanship when it is West Africa’s turn in 2027.

The African Union (AU) Chairpersonship is a rotating leadership position held by a sitting Head of State or Government and changes annually among Africa’s five geographic regions—North, West, Central, East and Southern Africa—under the AU’s established rotational principle.

The Chairperson presides over the AU Assembly, provides political leadership, represents the continent at high-level international engagements, and plays a key role in advancing peace, security, integration and development initiatives.

In line with this rotational arrangement, West Africa is expected to produce the AU Chairperson in 2027, following the conclusion of the current cycle.

Regional economic communities are required to consult internally and present a single consensus candidate for consideration by the continental body, a process designed to avoid intra-regional competition and promote unity.

Within West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is mandated to coordinate this selection process.

The ECOWAS Council of Ministers, composed of foreign affairs and integration ministers of member states, conducts the initial vetting and makes recommendations to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which serves as the bloc’s supreme decision-making organ.

President John Dramani Mahama’s endorsement follows this established procedure. His candidature was first reviewed and unanimously supported by the Council of Ministers before being formally approved by the ECOWAS Authority.

The decision positions him as the sole ECOWAS nominee for the AU Chairpersonship when the sub-region’s turn arises.

President Mahama is widely regarded within regional and continental diplomatic circles for his experience in multilateral diplomacy, having previously served as Chair of ECOWAS, a mediator in several regional peace processes, and an advocate for democratic governance and regional integration.

His prior engagement with African and international institutions is seen as aligning with the consultative and consensus-building role required of an AU Chairperson.

Following ECOWAS endorsement, the candidature is expected to be presented through the African Union’s formal processes ahead of the 2027 AU Assembly, where the Chairperson is elected by consensus or, where necessary, by vote of member states.