BackThe African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA) successfully convened an Urgent Extraordinary Executive Committee (EXCO) Meeting on 15 June 2026 to address important governance and succession matters affecting the leadership of the Association.
The virtual meeting was convened following the formal notification of the impending conclusion of the term of office of Hon. Antónia Florbela Rocha Araújo, Provedora de Justiça of Angola, whose tenure as Ombudsman of Angola concludes in June 2026, thereby affecting her mandate as President of AOMA.
The Executive Committee carefully considered the constitutional implications of this transition, alongside other existing vacancies within the governance structures of the Association. In accordance with Article 9 of the AOMA Constitution, which governs vacancies and succession arrangements within the Executive Committee, members unanimously emphasized the importance of ensuring institutional continuity, constitutional compliance, and leadership stability.
Following deliberations, EXCO formally invoked the constitutional succession mechanism and confirmed a seamless leadership transition.
In line with the Constitution, Hon. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, Deputy Inspector General of Government of Uganda and former First Vice President of AOMA, assumed office as Acting President of AOMA with immediate effect.
To further strengthen continuity within the Executive Committee, the following interim leadership arrangements were endorsed:
- Hon. Aimée Laurentine Kanyana, Ombudsman of Burundi, to serve as Acting First Vice President
- Hon. Awa Nana-Daboya, Mediator of Togo, to serve as Acting Second Vice President
Vacancies relating to the East Africa Regional Coordinator and Indian Ocean Regional Coordinator will be addressed through further regional consultation and in accordance with the constitutional processes of the Association.
The Executive Committee also resolved that the next elective General Assembly of AOMA will be held in 2027, in accordance with the ordinary constitutional cycle.
AOMA expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing President, Hon. Antónia Florbela Rocha Araújo, for her distinguished leadership and unwavering commitment to strengthening ombudsman and mediator institutions across Africa. During her tenure, AOMA continued to consolidate continental cooperation, deepen institutional partnerships, and strengthen collaboration with the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) and global partners, including the IOI.
This orderly transition reflects the maturity and resilience of African ombudsman institutions and reaffirms AOMA’s commitment to good governance, accountability, mediation, and administrative justice across the continent.
AOMA warmly congratulates the new acting leadership and looks forward to continued collaboration with all member institutions and international partners in advancing access to justice and good governance in Africa.
Source: The African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA)
