Presidential hopeful and African Union Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's return to South Africa may be delayed by another six months if the AU accedes to a request to postpone the election of her successor as chair of the organisation.
The Sunday Times has seen a letter by the Economic Community of West African States to AU member states requesting the election of Dlamini-Zuma's replacement be postponed to the next sitting in February.
The member states had been expected to vote for a successor today in Kigali, Rwanda.
Should the Ecowas request be accepted, Dlamini-Zuma would have to continue commuting to South Africa from AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as her campaign to become the ANC's next president gets into full swing.
There were expectations too that after the local government elections President Jacob Zuma would reshuffle his cabinet to accommodate Dlamini-Zuma.
AU insiders say concerns have been raised about the credibility of candidates proposed by the various regional bodies since Dlamini-Zuma announced that she would not stand for a second term as chair.
Sources say Ecowas had lobbied other regions to keep Dlamini-Zuma in Addis Ababa, including the Southern African Development Community.
"Those pushing for the postponement are arguing a properly suitable candidate must be found and rules must be amended to allow more nominations," said a government source.
Those who want a postponement believe none of the current candidates would get the necessary two-thirds majority.