Skip to main content

UNESCO race: African Union unites behind Egypt's nominee

1 min Bruno Finel

Angolan President João Lourenço, acting as the current Chair of the African Union, has officially announced the AU’s endorsement of Egyptian scholar Khaled El-Enany for the position of Director-General of UNESCO. 

The endorsement adds to growing regional support, with Djibouti already backing El-Enany and Gabon withdrawing its own candidate to strengthen African unity © Mena Today 

The endorsement adds to growing regional support, with Djibouti already backing El-Enany and Gabon withdrawing its own candidate to strengthen African unity © Mena Today 

Angolan President João Lourenço, acting as the current Chair of the African Union, has officially announced the AU’s endorsement of Egyptian scholar Khaled El-Enany for the position of Director-General of UNESCO. 

The declaration was made during his state visit to Egypt from April 28 to 30, 2025, following a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.

The two leaders emphasized the importance of unified African representation in international institutions, highlighting the need for stronger global advocacy for the continent’s interests. 

The endorsement adds to growing regional support, with Djibouti already backing El-Enany and Gabon withdrawing its own candidate to strengthen African unity.

El-Enany, a former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and university professor, is seen as a candidate with an inclusive and forward-looking vision. His candidacy has already received wide international support, including from France, Brazil, Turkey, Germany, and the Arab League.

The AU’s backing further boosts the legitimacy of El-Enany’s campaign and underscores Africa’s push for a more equitable and representative global governance at UNESCO.

Bruno Finel

Bruno Finel

Bruno Finel is the editor-in-chief of Mena Today. He has extensive experience in the Middle East and North Africa, with several decades of reporting on current affairs in the region.

Related

Palestine

Israeli authorities halt Arab delegation’s visit to Ramallah

Israel will not allow a planned meeting in the Palestinian administrative capital of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, to go ahead, an Israeli official said on Saturday, after media reported that Arab ministers planning to attend had been stopped from coming.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.