The race for the African Union Commission Chairperson has gained momentum as Kenya’s candidate, Raila Odinga, prepares to face his main opponents in a live televised debate. The highly anticipated Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate is set to take place on Wednesday evening from 7 PM to 9 PM East Africa Time, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Odinga will go head-to-head with Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. This marks a crucial moment for the candidates to present their vision for Africa’s future and their strategies for leading the transformation of the continent.
A Platform for Visionary Leadership
The Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate is a unique opportunity for candidates to articulate their goals for Africa’s progress. Televised across the continent in all six official African Union (AU) languages , English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili , the debate ensures accessibility to a diverse audience.
Moderators will address candidates with questions in French and English, while public questions will also be incorporated, allowing the people of Africa to play an active role in shaping the leadership discourse. DSTV Africa will dedicate two pop-up channels for the debate, and national broadcasters will air the event in their respective countries.
Raila’s Manifesto for Africa
Raila Odinga’s campaign has emphasized transformative policies aimed at uniting and advancing the continent. A former AU High Commissioner for Infrastructure Development, Odinga promises to spearhead massive infrastructural development and enhance intra-African trade to bolster economic growth.
He has also pledged to champion financial independence for AU member states, promoting self-reliance and resilience. Gender equity and agricultural transformation are key components of his platform, alongside a focus on digital transformation, youth empowerment, and addressing climate change.
Odinga’s manifesto, translated into all official AU languages, aims to resonate with diverse audiences, ensuring that his vision reaches every corner of the continent.
Confidence from the Campaign Team
Elkanah Odembo, head of Odinga’s campaign, exuded confidence ahead of the debate, stating, “Candidate RAO is preparing, and we are confident that Africa will see that he really does stand head and shoulders over the competitors.”
The debate comes as a critical moment for Odinga to consolidate support from AU member states. With 55 countries eligible to vote, the former Kenyan Prime Minister needs a two-thirds majority, or 33 votes, to succeed the incumbent, Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad.
However, geopolitics, language preferences, and religious dynamics among member states are expected to play a significant role in the election outcome. Additionally, six countries – Sudan, Gabon, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea – have been suspended from the AU due to internal conflicts or hostile government takeovers.
A History of Debate
The Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate was first held in 2016, setting a precedent for open dialogue among AU leadership candidates. The 2020 cycle did not feature a debate, as no candidate opposed Moussa Faki’s re-election. This year’s debate thus marks a return to the tradition of competitive leadership discourse.
A Continental Transformation
Raila Odinga’s candidacy represents a vision for a revitalized African Union. His focus on regional peace, security, and integration seeks to position the AU as a more cohesive and proactive body.
As the debate unfolds, millions across Africa will watch closely, assessing the candidates’ ability to articulate their visions and respond to the continent’s pressing challenges. Odinga’s performance will be pivotal in garnering the support needed to clinch the chairpersonship and implement his transformative agenda for Africa.
The election, set for February 2024, will determine the next leader tasked with steering the African Union into a new era of growth and stability.
