Next week, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will face his opponents in a high-stakes live televised debate for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). The debate, scheduled for December 13, 2024, at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will provide a vital platform for Odinga and other candidates to share their visions for Africa’s future and engage with citizens and stakeholders across the continent.
Odinga, representing Kenya, will be up against Mohamed Youssouf from Djibouti and Richard Randrianmandrato from Madagascar, both of whom are vying for the prestigious AUC chairmanship. While the participation of Mauritius’ candidate remains uncertain, tensions have already been heightened. Mauritius’ newly elected Prime Minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, has publicly endorsed Raila’s candidacy, lending strong regional support. However, Anil Gayan, a rival candidate from Mauritius, is also in the running, creating a degree of competition within the island nation.
The live debate, dubbed Mjadala Africa, promises to be a critical moment in the race to lead the AUC. It will allow each candidate to present their vision for Africa’s future, highlighting their policy priorities and strategies for addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges. The debate is a rare opportunity for voters, African leaders, and other stakeholders to evaluate the candidates based on their articulation of key issues such as economic development, peace, security, and the implementation of Africa’s Agenda 2063.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has expressed strong support for Raila Odinga, emphasizing the importance of this debate as an avenue for Odinga to showcase his leadership experience and commitment to Africa’s transformation. Mudavadi pointed out that Raila has the opportunity to outline how he intends to guide the African Union in achieving its goals, as well as how he would contribute to the continent’s socio-economic progress.
“This debate gives Raila Odinga a chance to explain his vision for Africa and how he will drive the continent’s development through the implementation of the AU’s mandate and the broader goals of Africa’s Agenda 2063,” Mudavadi said. He further noted that the debate would allow African citizens and stakeholders to engage directly with the candidates and voice their concerns on the issues that matter most to them.
Mudavadi also highlighted Odinga’s pan-African credentials, citing his long history of advocating for unity, peace, and development across the continent. Odinga’s extensive political career, which includes his tenure as Kenya’s Prime Minister, has earned him recognition as a seasoned leader with deep knowledge of Africa’s political landscape. His candidacy is widely seen as one that reflects not only Kenya’s interests but also the aspirations of the African continent at large.
As the debate approaches, it remains to be seen how each candidate will address the critical issues facing Africa today, including conflicts in certain regions, economic instability, climate change, and the need for effective governance. Odinga’s supporters believe that his experience and diplomatic skills will enable him to present a compelling case to African leaders, convincing them of his ability to steer the continent towards greater peace, prosperity, and cooperation.
In the months leading up to the AUC elections in February 2025, Odinga’s supporters hope the debate will solidify his position as a frontrunner for the chairmanship. The outcome of this public debate could play a significant role in determining who will succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki, whose term as AUC chair will conclude next year.
Musalia Mudavadi expressed confidence that Raila Odinga’s leadership will contribute significantly to the continent’s growth, emphasizing that Raila’s candidacy is not just about Kenya but about the collective advancement of Africa.
“Raila’s pan-African credentials and leadership experience will greatly contribute to Africa’s shared prosperity, peace, and unity. We are confident that he will lead the African Union with integrity, vision, and commitment,” Mudavadi concluded.
