Dakar
The newly appointed acting president of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Jackson Tuwei, has arrived in Dakar for a series of high-level transition meetings following the passing of long-serving leader Hamad Kalkaba Malboum.
Tuwei, who also heads Athletics Kenya, is visiting the Senegalese capital to convene with CAA Director General Lamine Faty and executive staff at the continental governing body’s headquarters.
The high-stakes working visit marks Tuwei’s first major administrative move since stepping into the interim role following the death of Cameroon's Kalkaba Malboum on May 13, 2026.
The late Cameroonian had helmed the CAA for 23 years, having first taken office in 2003 when he succeeded Lamine Diack.
Kalkaba Malboum’s legacy includes expanding the visibility of African track and field globally, strengthening military sports pipelines, and establishing foundational youth academies across the continent — leaving a massive institutional footprint and a significant power vacuum in African sports governance.
Political Context and Rising Ambitions
Tuwei’s primary task in Dakar will be ensuring organizational stability and structuring the roadmap toward a permanent succession plan.
A definitive successor will be chosen at the 31st CAA Congress, scheduled to take place on March 19, 2027, in Mbabane, Eswatini, where member federations will vote to elect the new president.
A procession in tribute of the late long-serving leader of the Confederation of African Athletics, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, in May. (Photo / CAA)
The political maneuvering ahead of the March 2027 vote has already intensified behind the scenes. While Tuwei is widely seen as a heavy favorite to transition from the interim capacity to a full four-year term, regional voting blocs from North and West Africa are reportedly mobilizing to field competing candidates.
Regional balance has historically played a critical role in CAA politics, and federations from Francophone Africa are eager to retain the seat occupied by Cameroon for over two decades.
Tuwei's Administrative Credentials
To consolidate his standing ahead of the elective congress, Tuwei brings a robust portfolio from his tenure at the helm of Athletics Kenya. Under his leadership, Kenya successfully transitioned into a premier global hub for elite World Athletics Gold Label events, establishing the highly successful Kip Keino Classic, Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, and Chepsaita Cross Country circuits.
A retired Lieutenant General, Tuwei was named Africa's "Administrator of the Year" by the CAA and was elected as a World Athletics Vice President — making him one of the highest-ranking sports diplomats on the globe.
He has also been recognized on the international stage for pioneering environmental sustainability initiatives in sports, introducing air quality monitoring programs across multiple African stadiums.
The Dakar meetings are expected to outline the official protocol for candidate declarations, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be the most closely watched administrative transition in African athletics history. (Agencies)
Acting Confederation of African Athletics President Jackson Tuwei (left) with CAA Director General Lamine Faty in Dakar. (Photo / CAA)
