- SADC’s endorsement is a blow to Raila and Mahamoud, but the candidate needs a two-thirds majority to secure the position.
- SADC comprises 16 member states, including Madagascar.
- The AUC seat is three-horse race: Raila Odinga (Kenya), Mahamoud Ali Yousouf (Djibouti) and Richard J. Randriamandrato (Madagascar)
The race for the African Union Chairperson (AUC) is on its final lap with at least three candidates contesting for the same seat. Kenya, Madagascar, and Djibouti both have their candidates contesting for election slated for December 14th, 2024.
Raila Odinga, the former prime minister of the Republic of Kenya, and renowned veteran opposition leader Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, with cemented experience in foreign relations and an in-depth role in Djibouti’s diplomatic initiatives, are the top two contenders for the seat.
Raila Odinga also ran for the presidency five times, with his most recent attempt in 2022. He’s got massive support from the East African leaders and has been emphasizing for economic integration and infrastructure development across Africa
The 55-year-old Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar—recognized for his longstanding influence in the country’s political landscape—is the third candidate, making it a three-horse race. He has also served as the Minister of Economy and Finance and briefly as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
SADC’S Last Minute Endorsement in the AUC Race
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has openly come out to drum support for Madagascar’s candidate in just 48 hours before the election. Madagascar is among the 16 member states of the bloc taking on Raila and Mahamoud after Mauritius’s candidate dropped from the race.
The open endorsement of Richard Randriamandrato against the two candidates poses a potential threat, particularly to Raila Odinga, who has traversed a huge chunk of the Sub-Saharan states for months, campaigning and consolidating support for his candidacy.
The letter indicates that “the Republic of Madagascar has written to the Secretariat formally seeking support for SADC Member States for its candidate.”
“A letter from the Secretariat seeking SADC Member States’ support for Madagascar’s candidature should suffice.”
“This letter, therefore, serves to encourage SADC Member States to support Mr. Richard J. RANDRIAMANDRATO, a candidate from our region for leadership of the African Union Commission, in line with the August 2024 Council decision, for the position of the AUC Chairperson during the upcoming elections for the Seon stated above.”
The Southern African Development Community is a 16-member state bloc, including the United Republic of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, that are also members of the East African Community bloc.
Other member states are South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Mauritius, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Lesotho, Seychelles, and Mozambique.
While SADC’s backing is significant, the endorsement of Richard Randriamandrato by the community bloc does not guarantee an automatic win for him. Its essential to consider the broader electoral dynamics, as a candidate needs a two-thirds majority to secure the position.
