Should we blame Khama for Venson-Moitoi�s failed AU bid? :: Mmegi Online

There was high expectation that Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi would be elected chairperson of the African Union Commission at the 27th Summit in Kigali, Rwanda. Then, Venson-Moitoi was running against former Ugandan Vice President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe and Equatorial Guinea Foreign Minister Agapito Mba Mokuy.

During the first round, Botswana garnered 16 votes, Equitorial Guinea 12 votes and Uganda’s envoy got 11 votes. In the third and final round, Venson-Moitoi got 23 votes, short of the required two thirds majority because 28 countries abstained from voting.

Botswana had another go at the position at the soon to end 28th Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This time it was going to be difficult for Venson Moitoi as the field was more contested. In Addis Ababa, Venson Moitoi was eliminated after three rounds of voting having received 10 votes in the first round, then eight in both round two and three.

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