The most recent development occurs as 55 nations get ready to cast their votes for the next AUC chairperson, an event scheduled for Saturday, February 15, in Adis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
In addition to Raila and Randriamandrato, Djibouti has put forward its candidate Mahmoud Youssouf, who was compelled to refute claims of withdrawing his candidacy in support of Odinga’s the day before.
The winner will be announced once two-thirds of the 55 countries cast their votes in favor of one of the three candidates.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s aspiration to become the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) has suffered a setback, as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has instructed its 16 member states to back Madagascar’s candidate, Richard Randriamandrato.
SADC recommended that its member states support Randriamandrato in the forthcoming election, in a letter addressed to all foreign ministers within the trade bloc.
Comprising 16 nations situated in Southern Africa, SADC includes countries such as Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Lesotho, and Madagascar.
The other countries within the same economic bloc include Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
SADC reports that the decision was made after a meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, last year where the 16 countries agreed to work together and present a candidate.
At that meeting, the Committee of Ambassadors in Addis Ababa and the Office of the Permanent Representative to the African Union were given the responsibility of identifying a possible candidate for the top continental position.
“Committee of Ambassadors in Addis Ababa, working together with the Office of the Permanent Representative to the African Union, to closely oversee the process of electing Senior Leadership for the African Union Commission and provide additional guidance on future steps,” stated part of the letter.
“They ought to identify the most effective strategy to be implemented after the Panel of Eminent Africans completes its shortlisting and promote support from all Member States.
Odinga’s aspirations for the esteemed continental position have been jeopardized by the announcement; however, it remains uncertain if the 16 member states will comply with the letter’s demands.
The most recent development occurs as 55 nations get ready to cast their votes for the next AUC chairperson, an event scheduled for Saturday, February 15, in Adis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
In addition to Raila and Randriamandrato, Djibouti has put forward its candidate Mahmoud Youssouf, who was compelled to refute claims of withdrawing his candidacy in support of Odinga’s the day before.
The winner will be announced once two-thirds of the 55 countries cast their votes in favor of one of the three candidates.
