Addis Ababa, November 9, 2024 (FBC) – The African Union (AU), comprising 55 member states, is set to hold elections in February next year to select a new chair for the African Union Commission, succeeding Moussa Faki Mahamat. Four prominent political figures from the continent have emerged as candidates: Mahamoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, Raila Odinga from Kenya, Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar, and Anil Gayan from Mauritius.
Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya, formally announced his candidacy yesterday and subsequently engaged with media in Addis Ababa to share his vision for the AU.
In his engagement with the media in Addis Ababa on Saturday, Odinga recognized Ethiopia’s crucial role in supporting liberation movements across Africa and acknowledged the contributions of the founding fathers of the Organization of African Unity, the AU’s predecessor. He underlined the necessity for a united front to effectively tackle the challenges facing Africa and work towards a better future for its people.
He emphasized the importance of creating a united, prosperous, and peaceful Africa where industries thrive and cities are interconnected through advanced infrastructure like high-speed rail and fiber optic networks.
Stressing that “there can be no development if there’s no peace,” he highlighted the importance of maintaining stability on the continent. Odinga also pointed out the need for Africa to achieve food security through agricultural mechanization, aiming for self-reliance and economic development.
Furthermore, he advocated for strengthening intra-African trade and enhancing infrastructure to boost the continent’s economic competitiveness. Odinga highlighted education’s critical role in developing a skilled workforce essential for driving economic progress.
Gender equality and women’s empowerment were also among the key issues raised by Odinga, who stressed that addressing these areas would significantly enhance the livelihoods of Africans. He noted Africa’s demographic advantage, with 70% of its population under the age of 35, arguing that with the right skills and knowledge, this youth demographic could be a powerful catalyst for economic growth.