Fateh Boutbig of Algeria was elected president of the Pan-African Parliament during an extraordinary session in Midrand, South Africa.

The election marks a shift in continental leadership as the presidency rotates regionally within the African Union. This transition allows North Africa to lead the body and contribute more directly to the governance of continental affairs.

Boutbig secured the position with a significant majority of the assembly's support. He received 119 out of 134 votes cast [1]. There were 15 spoiled ballots recorded during the voting process [2].

The newly elected president will serve a term of three years [3]. The session took place in Midrand, a suburb of Johannesburg, where the parliament convened to elect a new leadership bureau.

The Pan-African Parliament serves as a legislative body for the African Union, aiming to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the economic development and political integration of the continent. The regional rotation system is designed to ensure equitable representation across the diverse geographic zones of the AU.

By rotating the presidency, the organization seeks to prevent the concentration of power within a single region, a move intended to foster unity among the member states. Boutbig's victory reflects a broad consensus among the delegates present at the Midrand session.

“Fateh Boutbig secured the position with 119 out of 134 votes cast.”

The election of a North African leader to the Pan-African Parliament presidency reinforces the African Union's commitment to regional equity. By adhering to the rotation system, the AU mitigates regional hegemony and ensures that the legislative priorities of North African states are integrated into the broader continental agenda for the next three years.