The African Union is on the cusp of a new era as it prepares to elect a new chairperson, with three seasoned politicians vying for the top job. The chosen leader will shape the future of the continent, tackling pressing challenges such as peace and security, economic development, and unity.
The African Union Leadership Race: A New Era for Africa?
As the African Union (AU) prepares to elect a new chairperson to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat, three seasoned politicians are vying for the top job. The election is set to take place in February, and the stakes are high as the chosen leader will shape the future of the continent.
The Candidates: Who Are They?
Raila Odinga, a former prime minister of Kenya, is one of the frontrunners in the race. He has pledged to work with African leaders to secure two permanent seats for Africa at the UN Security Council, which he believes is long overdue. Odinga argues that this would give Africa a fair treatment on the global stage and enable it to play a more significant role in international affairs.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the long-serving foreign minister of Djibouti, is also a strong contender. He has pledged to strengthen regional security and foster unity across linguistic and cultural divides in Africa. Youssouf believes that African must take charge of the peace and security agenda in Africa because foreign support has hindered sustainable progress.
Richard Randriamandrato, a former Malagasy foreign minister, is the third candidate. He has pledged to unlock Africa’s economic potential by taking gradual steps toward full trade liberalization to ensure inclusive economic growth. Randriamandrato believes that intra-African trade is low at just 12.6%, and this needs to be addressed to develop the economy at the continental level.
What Analysts Think
Diplomacy expert Edgar Githua told DW that in the election debate, Youssouf and Odinga came up as frontrunners in the race to lead Africa’s most important grouping. Githua believes that cultural and religious factors could favor Youssouf too.
However, not everyone is pleased with the lack of female candidates in the running. Konjit SineGiorgis, the chairperson of the AU Panel of Eminent Africans, expressed disappointment that the continent could not have a female candidate.
The Road Ahead
The AUC election process requires candidates to secure a two-thirds majority from the AU’s 55 member states, a feat that often demands regional alliances and strategic negotiations. The chosen leader will face significant challenges in shaping the future of Africa, including addressing issues such as peace and security, economic development, and unity.
As the African Union prepares to elect a new chairperson, one thing is clear: the future of Africa hangs in the balance. Will the chosen leader be able to address the continent’s pressing challenges and unlock its true potential? Only time will tell.
