AU backs El-Enany, but Congo sparks division with defiant candidacy

In a move reinforcing continental unity — yet exposing underlying divisions — the African Union (AU) has reiterated its official support for Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany as candidate for the post of UNESCO Director-General (2025–2029). 

The endorsement came during the third joint AU-EU ministerial meeting held on May 21 in Brussels, where both blocs underscored the critical role of UNESCO in promoting peace, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable development.

El-Enany, Egypt’s former Minister of Antiquities and Tourism, has been widely described as the “natural candidate” to lead the organization, particularly given his academic background and diplomatic track record. 

This latest AU endorsement marks the fourth official statement of support, but for the first time, it was made within an intercontinental political dialogue framework, giving the move new symbolic and strategic weight.

Congo Challenges AU Consensus

However, the AU’s unified front is not without cracks. Despite the continental body’s backing of El-Enany, the Republic of Congo has announced plans to field its own candidate for the top UNESCO job — a decision that has raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles and sparked concerns about African division on the international stage.

Diplomats close to the process describe Congo’s move as “regrettable and politically short-sighted,” especially given the importance of presenting a single African voice in major multilateral institutions. 

Some observers have warned that fragmentation of African votes could weaken the continent’s chances in a competitive field of global candidates, potentially handing an advantage to non-African contenders.

“This isn’t just about personalities — it’s about Africa’s credibility and strategic positioning at UNESCO,” said one African diplomat based in Paris. “Divided candidacies only benefit others.”

Broad International Support for El-Enany

Despite the internal controversy, Khaled El-Enany has secured substantial international backing, with official endorsements from France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, Austria, Slovakia, and the League of Arab States, as well as from several African countries including Gabon.

His candidacy is viewed as aligning closely with UNESCO’s priorities on cultural heritage preservation, scientific cooperation, and global education access — pillars that he championed during his tenure in Egypt.

As the UNESCO race intensifies ahead of the 2025 election, the Congo-Egypt divide is shaping up as a litmus test for African diplomatic coordination. While the AU's endorsement remains the continent’s formal position, the emergence of a rival bid threatens to complicate lobbying efforts and dilute Africa’s collective influence in one of the UN system’s most high-profile agencies.

Whether the AU can reassert internal discipline or whether Congo will maintain its course remains to be seen. For now, El-Enany’s bid remains the frontrunner in Africa, but the path to the UNESCO leadership is far from smooth — and intra-African discord may prove the biggest hurdle.