Nigeria’s Fatimah Mohammed has lost the election for the position of African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security in Addis Ababa.
She was defeated by the incumbent, Smail Chergui of Algeria.
The election was held on Monday at the 28th African Union summit in Addis Ababa.
The news of the loss is hazy, but Linda Ikeji reported it.
A reliable source in the external affairs ministry has confirmed the outcome of the election.
Also at the summit, Chad’s foreign minister Moussa Faki was elected as the chairman of the African Union commission.
As the summit rolls to a close, Morocco was accepted also re-admitted as AU member after 33 years when it quit the bloc.
In her campaign, the Nigeria/ECOWAS candidate had pledged to eradicate conflicts on the continent if she wins.
Mohammed said the commission needed to complement the efforts of Nigeria which was not only a key player in peace and security in Africa but also part in troubled parts of the world.
According to her Nigeria has made significant contributions to ensure peace in and development in African.
She promised to use Nigeria as a vehicle to intervene in the resolution of conflicts and ensure peace.
Mohammed said her emergence as Nigeria’s candidate was through a competitive selection with a number of individuals shortlisted.
She said she had the opportunity to work with ECOWAS and its institutions for over a decade in different capacities including organizational development, regional integration and peace and security.
She said she would build upon the accomplishment of her predecessors because consistency was an important element of success.
Mohammed said she had outlined three priority areas towards achievement of her vision, which include focusing on prevention and transformation.
“We must leverage on intellectual and institutional assets, particularly at the diplomatic and leadership levels to transform conflicts in areas most affected to peace building and conflict prevention.
She promised to put people first in her schedule and promote inter dependency and shared future.
Mohammed said she would build on strategic partnerships by continuing to develop the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).
