Emeka Anyaoku vs Kaja Kallas

Emeka Anyaoku was elected as the third Commonwealth Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1991. He took office on July 1, 1990, becoming the first African to hold the position.

During his tenure, Anyaoku played a key role in coordinating Commonwealth policy on the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa. He supported the transition to majority rule and the readmission of South Africa to the Commonwealth in 1994 after the election of Nelson Mandela.

Under Anyaoku's leadership, the Commonwealth suspended Nigeria's membership in 1995 following the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists by the military regime of Sani Abacha. This was a significant diplomatic sanction against his own country.

Kallas became Estonia's first female prime minister, leading a coalition government. She was the leader of the Reform Party and previously served as a Member of the European Parliament.

Kallas became a leading European voice in supporting Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion. Estonia provided significant military and humanitarian aid, and Kallas advocated for EU sanctions against Russia.

Kallas resigned as prime minister after a dispute with coalition partner the Center Party over family benefits. She was reappointed days later leading a new coalition with the Social Democrats and Isamaa.

Kallas was nominated by EU leaders to become the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, succeeding Josep Borrell. She was expected to take office later in 2024.