Regional leaders back Amina's bid for top AU position in January polls

Deputy President William Ruto with minister for trade and industrialization Adan Mohamed and and his foreign affairs counter part Amina mohamed during 19th Summit of COMESA heads of states and governments in Antananarivo Madagascar on 18th October, 2016. The Deputy Presidents represented President Kenyatta at the meeting.PHOTO: COURTESY

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed's candidature for the African Union Commission chairmanship received a major boost after regional leaders threw their weight behind her.

Leaders from the Common Markets for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) countries said they were supporting Kenya's decision to front Amina for the seat currently held by South African Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

The leaders drawn from Malawi, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Rwanda voiced their support for Amina at a dinner hosted by Deputy President William Ruto for foreign affairs ministers in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Ethiopia's minister for Finance and Economic Co-operation, Ahmed Shide, said Amina's long and distinguished career in international affairs had enabled her to build the experience required for the position.

"I am confident she can serve our region well, especially in peace building and continental integration. She is able, forthright and articulate and has our support," said Mr Shide.

His Malawian counterpart, Francis Lazalo Kasaila, said Amina was the preferred candidate to champion reforms on the continent.

"I have interacted with her on several occasions and I know she can bring positive changes to our region and the AU."

Rwanda's Francis Kanimba cited Amina's lobbying that saw Nairobi host several international meetings including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Trade and Development (Unctad) and the Tokyo International Conference on Africa's Development (Ticad).

"We in Rwanda gave our support to Ambassador Amina immediately it was announced she would be seeking the position. As an East African Community member, we feel very proud of her candidature," he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Madagascar's Minister for Industry and Private Sector Development, Chabani Nourdine.

Mr Ruto noted that Amina had proved to be an invaluable asset to the Government of Kenya.

"It was not an easy decision to let Amina go. She is an invaluable asset to the Government of Kenya but because we believe in a bigger agenda, we think she can do better for Africa," said Ruto.

Ruto said with Amina as the AU commision chair, Africa would be able to spearhead reforms at a continental level as well as at the United Nations.

"About 53 per cent of decisions at the UN are about our continent and yet Africa has no place where decisions about her are made. We need reforms at UN so that Africa can be part of its decision-making organ," said Ruto.

Both President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy have been lobbying various leaders across the continent in the hope that Amina will clinch the seat during the January 2017 elections. The aim is to get at least two-thirds majority in the first round.

The last attempt to elect Dlamini-Zuma's successor in Rwanda in June failed as all three candidates were unable to garner the required votes.