Focus shifts to Eastern African diplomats’ choice for AC Commission boss

As the race to the African Union Commission elections heats up, attention now shifts to negotiations over who the Eastern African region diplomats will support as the sole candidate for the top continental job, with the high-stakes polls slated for next February.

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.

It is one of the most challenging, and as some would say, thankless jobs there is.

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

Soon, it won’t be Faki’s job anymore, and the Eastern African region has already started endorsing those interested in taking over the position in less than seven months.

The contest enters a decisive phase where a panel of experts will determine the suitable candidate or candidates for the top job.

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

Last week 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.

“This decision is informed by Mr Odinga's Pan-Africanist credentials, his suitability, his vast networks across Africa, and his proven competence to lead AUC, Africa's premier continental organisation,” Singo’ei said in a statement.

In his application, Odinga has outlined his vision for the African Union Commission, focusing on various key areas including African integration and infrastructure development, economic transformation, enhancing intra-African trade, financial independence, and gender equity and equality.

His grand plan also emphasises agricultural transformation, climate action, peace and security, and youth empowerment.

“Mr Odinga's key focus and commitment is to harness Africa's rich and vast human and natural resources to propel Africa towards a new era of shared prosperity. He envisions an African Union Commission that can deliver on the priorities of the African peoples both by catalysing delivery on our continent and by commanding the global influence it rightfully warrants,” said Singo'ei.

Despite being bogged down by domestic politics and negotiating the nomination of his key allies to the Kenyan Cabinet, Odinga is seen as a top contender for the AU Commission chairmanship.

His Pan-Africanist influence, along with the support of his endorser, President William Ruto, will be closely measured in the coming months as campaigns intensify across various capitals.

Odinga is competing against Djibouti's long-serving seasoned Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, who also formally submitted his application papers on Monday in Addis Ababa.

Youssouf's campaign focuses on responsible leadership, institutional capacity building, promotion of peace and security, and infrastructure development, among other priorities.

"Our diplomatic engagements have long been underway, with numerous African Union member states endorsing Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the foreign minister of Djibouti, for the position of chairperson of the African Union Commission,” said the former IGAD spokesperson and Communications Advisor to Youssouf’s campaign team. He spoke to The Eastleigh Voice hours after submitting the papers.

He said Youssouf’s extensive diplomatic and reform experience has earned him the title of ‘Dean of Foreign Ministers’ in some quarters, reflecting his two decades of service in Djibouti.

The foreign minister is little known in the region, and diplomats argue that while he has strong qualifications on paper, he is not as outspoken as Odinga.

There has been a lot of discussion about having a woman chairperson, but so far, there is only one female candidate, Somalia's former Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam. While she remains in the race, her capital Mogadishu is shifting its support to Djibouti.

Mauritius has pledged to support the candidacy of former Foreign Minister Anil Gayan for president of the African Union Commission. This decision was endorsed at the Council of Ministers meeting on July 19.

However, there is no information yet on whether Port Louis has already submitted the application papers ahead of the August 6 deadline.

Similarly, Seychelles has shown interest by nominating former vice president Vincent Meriton for the role.

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, with the decision made through a secret ballot cast by the heads of state.