Moussa Faki Mahamat (born 21 June 1960) is a Chadian politician and diplomat who has served as Chairperson of the African Union Commission since 14 March 2017. He previously held two of Chad’s most senior offices: Prime Minister from 24 June 2003 to 4 February 2005, and Minister of Foreign Affairs from April 2008 until January 2017. He was elected Chairperson of the AU Commission on 30 January 2017. His name in Arabic is موسى فكي محمد.

Overview and responsibilities

As head of the African Union’s administrative body, the Chairperson of the Commission leads the institution that coordinates continental policy, implements decisions of the AU Assembly, and represents the Union in international diplomacy. During his tenure, the Commission has been engaged in initiatives related to continental integration, peace and security, and cooperative responses to regional crises and public-health challenges.

Political career in Chad

Moussa Faki rose through Chad’s public service to occupy senior ministerial posts. As Prime Minister he led the government’s executive operations for a brief period in the early 2000s. Later, as Minister of Foreign Affairs for nearly nine years, he directed Chad’s external relations, participated in regional diplomacy, and represented the country in multilateral forums.

Role at the African Union

In his capacity as AU Commission Chair, Faki has worked with member states and regional bodies to advance AU priorities such as economic integration and conflict resolution. His term has coincided with milestones for the continent—efforts to operationalize Agenda 2063, the launch and early implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and collective responses to emergencies that required coordination across borders.

Characteristics and significance

  • Career diplomat and seasoned political figure from Chad.
  • Known for an emphasis on multilateral engagement and institutional strengthening.
  • Works in contexts where Arabic and French are commonly used in public diplomacy.

While assessments of his leadership reflect the complexity of continental politics, Moussa Faki Mahamat remains a prominent African official whose roles at national and continental levels have placed him at the center of efforts to promote stability and greater cooperation across Africa.