29 Jul 2026

Botswana has urged African Union member states to strengthen unity and coordination in selecting candidates for positions in international organisations, saying a united approach is crucial to ensuring Africa’s interests are effectively represented globally.
Speaking at the opening of the Ministerial Committee on African Candidatures within the International System on Monday, Minister for International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale said Africa’s representation in global decision-making bodies remained a priority.

Dr Butale chaired the meeting on the sidelines of the 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council in Addis Ababa.

He said the committee’s work extended beyond procedures. Its role was also to ensure Africa secured its rightful place in international institutions where key global decisions were made.

The committee has an important responsibility to identify and endorse candidates with integrity, competence and commitment to advancing the continent’s interests, Dr Butale said. He added that the process should be guided by solidarity, fairness, transparency and regional balance.

He commended African countries for past successes achieved through cooperation. The continent has secured support for many of its candidates because of unity, timely endorsements and cooperation between the committee, the AU Commission and African diplomatic missions in New York, Geneva and Rome, he said.

However, Dr Butale noted several challenges still affected Africa’s performance such as elays in responding to calls for applications reduce time for campaigns, making it more difficult for African candidates to compete.

He cautioned against multiple African countries nominating candidates for the same position, saying such competition divides support.

Dr Butale also expressed concern that some AU-endorsed candidates do not receive full backing from member states. He said poor coordination between the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa and African diplomatic missions abroad further weakened the continent’s collective voice.

He urged member states to address these shortcomings and strengthen cooperation so that Africa spoke with one voice on international representation.

“The committee’s immediate task is to improve coordination, strengthen consultation among member states and ensure Africa presents credible and competitive candidates for key positions in international organisations,” he said.
Africa’s success in multilateral institutions depended not only on having representatives but also on strategically positioning highly qualified candidates throughout the election process, Dr Butale emphasised.

During the meeting, the committee was expected to interview candidates seeking endorsement for important positions within the international system and to agree on a single African candidate where necessary, in line with committee rules.

Dr Butale encouraged delegates to consider the review to be presented by AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, particularly on issues requiring the committee’s attention.

He expressed confidence that the committee’s deliberations would be guided by the spirit of Pan-Africanism in advancing the continent’s interests on the global stage. ENDS