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With the African Union‘s top leadership position on the line, four respected politicians from Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, and Mauritius have joined the race, bringing a diverse range of expertise and passion to the table.
Next February, the African Union will convene its highly anticipated summit, where the 55 member states will gather to elect a new leader to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat as the chair of the African Union Commission.
In accordance with the African Union’s rotational policy, the chairmanship is slated to pass to a representative from East Africa this year, marking the end of Moussa Faki Mahamat’s six-year tenure as the veteran Chadian politician hands over the reins.
The African Union’s leadership spotlight shines on East Africa this year, as the region prepares to produce the organization’s next chair, ending Moussa Faki Mahamat’s remarkable six-year run as the veteran Chadian statesman passes the torch.
The African Union has named the four candidates in the running for its chairmanship: Mahamoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, Kenya’s veteran politician Raila Odinga, Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar, and Anil Gayan from Mauritius, each hoping to lead the pan-continental body.
“I am the only candidate capable of bridging the gap between the different regions of Africa, being French-speaking, but also English-speaking and Arabic-speaking,” said Djibouti’s Youssouf.
With a wealth of experience in international diplomacy, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, 58, has served as the foreign minister of Djibouti, a pivotal nation in the Horn of Africa, since 2005, honing his skills in navigating complex geopolitical sphere.
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“My primary objective if I am elected is to silence the guns” on the continent, he told AFP in an interview last month.
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf’s strongest challenger is Raila Odinga, a seasoned Kenyan opposition leader with a storied career spanning decades.
Despite five previous attempts, including a narrow loss to William Ruto in the 2022 presidential election, the 79-year-old Odinga remains a formidable force in African politics.
Raila Odinga’s political journey was forged in the fire of resistance, with his early years marked by periods of imprisonment and exile as he fought tirelessly for democratic reforms during the repressive regime of President Daniel arap Moi.
“We are focused on bringing the seat home for Kenya and serving the African people,” Odinga said on X last month announcing his formal candidacy.
The race for the African Union’s top leadership position has begun, with four accomplished politicians from Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, and Mauritius vying for the coveted role, each boasting a unique blend of experience, skill, and charisma.
The African Union, a pan-continental organization with 55 member states, will hold its summit in February, featuring elections to choose a new chair of the African Union Commission, replacing Moussa Faki Mahamat and ushering in a fresh era of leadership.
