The choice of Wilson de Almeida Adão – who will now serve as president of the African Governance Architecture, for a two-year term – was unanimous and took place, this Tuesday, at the headquarters of the African Union (AU), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of preparations for the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Conference of Heads of State and Government, which takes place next weekend.
"My election represents a significant achievement for Angolan diplomacy, as for the first time an Angolan was elected to this position", said Wilson de Almeida Adão, in statements to the press, cited by Jornal de Angola.
On the occasion, the Angolan – who, in November 2023, was also chosen for the position of president of the AU's Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of Children – also said that it was, "above all", a "recognition of the competence and dedication of Angolan staff in favor of African institutions".
According to him, "it is a platform that encompasses several AU bodies and institutions, associated with other regional institutions such as SADC and COMESA", whose objective is to promote good governance, democracy and respect for human rights. Furthermore, he added, the architecture also aims to establish a range of policies and standards that aim to promote democracy on the African continent, as well as guaranteeing "respect for the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance".
Quoted by Jornal de Angola, Wilson de Almeida Adão said that when it comes to democracy, African states are struggling with "different challenges", adding: "There are states that already have a consolidated level of strengthening their internal democracy, but there are challenges that other African Nations face in the democratic chapter".
Among other aspects, he also mentioned the unconstitutional coups that have been taking place on the continent, something that has worried the AU, which works "tirelessly" to try to stop this situation.
