A high-powered delegation from Somalia arrived in Kenya on Monday, April 1, 2024, to decide on who between Somalia’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Adam and Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga, will be the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship candidate from the Eastern Africa region.
This comes after the African Union Executive Council unanimously agreed that the AUC chairman will come from the Eastern Africa region.
“The African Union Executive Council today unanimously adopted a critical decision that it is the turn of the Eastern Africa region to submit candidates for the position of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). The elections will be held in February 2025,” the Executive Council said in a statement.
According to insiders, the negotiations will be held in Nairobi in a high-level private meeting that will be chaired by the top leadership of the AU Executive Council and attended by Raila and high-profile leaders from Kenya and Somalia.
The Somali team wants Raila to shelve his ambition and support Fawzia for the AU’s top job.
AUC bid
Fawzia announced her candidature on February 29, 2024, and will compete for the position with Raila who announced his bid on February 15, 2024.
While declaring her candidature, Fawzia who noted that she was getting supported by her president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed a strong desire to contribute to the continent’s development and progress and amplify African voices.
She also outlined her seven-point agenda which includes focusing on pan-African unity, sustainable development, peace and security, youth empowerment and gender equality, climate change and good governance.
“I have a deep passion for Africa and a strong desire to contribute to the continent’s development and progress. By running for the chairperson of the AU, I aim to strengthen the bonds between African countries and work towards a more united and integrated continent,’ she said.
Adding;
“I acknowledge the numerous challenges that Africa faces, including poverty, conflict, climate change, and inequality. I believe that by assuming the role of AU Commission Chairperson, I can play a significant role in addressing these challenges. As my candidacy is driven by a desire to find innovative solutions, mobilize resources, and coordinate efforts to tackle these pressing issues. Together, let’s shape a better future for Africa! #AfricaDevelopment #AUC.”
Born in Somalia, Fawzia boasts of an impressive profile following her notable moments and tremendous contributions to Somali politics, her powerful demeanour and dedication have seen her create a name for herself despite Somali’s strong patriarchial beliefs.
She has served as Somalia’s first female Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs minister. She also contested for the country’s presidency in 2010.
Raila on the other hand is popularly known for his pan-Africanism and immense contributions towards democracy in Kenya.
While launching his bid, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader vouched for himself as the best candidate for the job saying he had adequate experience to steer Africa towards the right direction.
“I have served in the AU in the capacity of high representative, it gave me a good advantage to be able to learn about every African country and the comparative advantages and I believe that by walking together with the countries we can make Africa great,” the former prime minister said.
The opposition leader also expressed confidence that he was prepared to serve the continent.
“I am ready and offer myself to be of service to this African content when called upon. I believe that Africa is playing in a league that it should not play in and that it deserves better,” Raila added.
The opposition supremo who has long been christened as the country’s political enigma enjoys support from various high-level individuals including former Nigerian Olusegun Obasanjo, Uganda president Yoweri Museveni and Kenya’s President William Ruto.
To succeed the incumbent AUC Chairman Moussa Faki, the winning contestant will need 36 votes out of the total 55 which makes up all AU member states. The number of votes mentioned is equivalent to the two-thirds majority which is a requirement to be declared winner.
The new AUC chairperson will be voted during the next AU summit in 2025.
