Raila Odinga's AUC bid at stake as SADC endorses Madagascar

AUC Chairmanship candidates, Madagascar's former Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato, Djibouti's Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Raila Odinga. [File, Standard] The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has written to all 16 member states seeking support for Madagascar's candidate in the race to succeed African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Moussa Faki. The race has three candidates: Kenya's Raila Odinga, Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato and Djibouti's Mahamoud Ali Youssouf. Raila, the only East African candidate, is facing the two other contenders-Djibouti's Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and former Madagascar Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato. The Republic of Madagascar has emerged as the sole candidate from the SADC region for the position after Mauritius withdrew its candidature. Richard J. Randriamandrato, a former foreign affairs minister of Madagascar, has been shortlisted as the candidate. The SADC Secretariat has written to member states seeking their support for his bid. "We have since learnt that Mauritius has withdrawn its candidature, leaving Madagascar as the only member state from the SADC region to compete for the position," said Elias M. Magosi, the SADC executive secretary. READ: Raila AUC chair bid advances as 28 votes secured The decision follows an August 2024 council meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, where SADC member states were urged to support candidates from the region for senior African Union leadership positions. Raila Odinga at prayers organized by ODM Women ahead of Africa Union Commission elections held of Saturday in Addis Ababa. [Courtesy] Former Mauritius Foreign Affairs Minister Anil Kumarsingh Gayan withdrew early in the month. The winner in the election during the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Thursday, February 15, will become the fifth Commission chairperson, succeeding the incumbent Moussa Faki. The election will be conducted through a secret ballot, and the winner must get at least two-thirds of the votes from the 55 AU member states. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed to KTN on Thursday, February 13, that more heads of state are expected to arrive today for the summit's opening, after which the AUC chairperson election will take place. "It will be very unfortunate if we have all these leaders and we don't get a leader. As a continent, we are at a crossroads. It is important that this summit is conclusive in ushering in new leadership," said Mudavadi. According to Mudavadi, 35 heads of state are expected to attend, while other countries will be represented by their vice presidents or foreign ministers. "The Republic of Madagascar has formally written to the Secretariat seeking the support of SADC member states for its candidate," said Magosi. The SADC council noted that, given the limited time before the election, there was no need to convene an extraordinary meeting to discuss Madagascar's request. ALSO READ: Win or lose AUC contest, the Raila factor will shape 2027 elections Randriamandrato's selection reflects a broader effort to ensure the region's representation in the African Union's top leadership. Member states have been encouraged to rally behind the candidate to enhance regional influence within the continental body. The upcoming election is part of a broader process to select senior leaders of the African Union Commission. The council has urged all member states to remain engaged in the process and support the selected candidate. Beyond elections, African leaders will also address pressing climate and security challenges. Mudavadi said the swift election of the AUC chairperson is crucial for leadership continuity. SADC comprises 16 member states including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Raila Odinga's AUC bid at stake as SADC endorses Madagascar

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