Djibouti Foreign Minister campaigns in Nairobi for AUC chair, a seat Raila is also eyeing

Djibouti's Foreign Minister and candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) chair position, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, met with Kenya’s top diplomat, Musalia Mudavadi, in Nairobi on Tuesday to campaign for his continental bid.

Youssouf is competing against Kenya’s candidate, Raila Odinga, for the prestigious role, with the deadline for submission of candidature closing today.

“I came to Nairobi which is an important stage of my campaign to seek advice from HE Pdt William Ruto who is the African champion for the reforms and climate change. It is quite obvious for me that I will have certainly to work with him on these critical issues if I am elected,” posted Youssouf on his X account.

“A candidate for the position of the African Union Commission is first and foremost at the service of the continent and the member states and as such he must seek the support of all," Youssouf said on X.

Kenya was yet to comment on the visit by the time of going to the press.

J’ai rencontré ce matin le premier ministre kényan , Musalia Mudavadi à Nairobi dans le cadre de ma tournée de campagne pour le poste de Pdt de la commission de l’UA. pic.twitter.com/ODxmokBSvM

— Mahmoud Ali youssouf (@ymahmoudali) August 6, 2024

It is intriguing that the Djiboutian candidate sought Kenya’s vote while the country has already endorsed opposition leader Raila Odinga for the position.

The usual disagreements among East African member states at the AU could spark divisions ahead of the elections, as various capitals have already endorsed their candidates and officially submitted their applications.

The role of AUC chairperson is one of the most challenging and, as some would say, thankless jobs.

Under Chad’s Moussa Faki, conflicts and crises have increased, and the continent has become more divided on how to respond.

Soon, it will no longer be Faki’s responsibility, and the Eastern African region has already begun endorsing candidates for the position, which will be filled in less than seven months.

The contest enters a decisive phase where a panel of experts will evaluate the candidates.

Kenyan opposition leader and government ally Raila Odinga is eyeing the top seat at the African Union Commission.

Last Monday, Nairobi officially submitted Odinga's application to the AU Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The application was lodged by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singo'ei to the Office of the Legal Counsel of the African Union and the Dean of the Eastern Region, Dharmraj Busgeeth, who is also the ambassador of Mauritius to Ethiopia and the AU.

Djibouti has also officially submitted its candidacy, as has Mauritius, which has put forward its former foreign minister Anil Gayan.

Similarly, Seychelles showed interest by nominating former vice president Vincent Meriton for the role, but as of press time, it was unclear if the country had officially submitted its candidature.

Backroom talks and intensive lobbying efforts in all 55 African capitals will play a key role in determining who will be elected chairperson next year.

The decision will be made through a secret ballot cast by the heads of state.