Mudavadi to lead final push for Raila Odinga’s AU chair bid
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has departed for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to spearhead the last stage of Kenya’s diplomatic efforts in support of Raila Odinga’s candidacy for chair of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Raila is set to face off two other candidates namely; Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar and Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti in the elections set to be held this weekend during the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by the AU Assembly via a secret ballot.
The three candidates are seeking to succeed the outgoing Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat who has served two terms since 14 March 2017.
According to a statement, Mudavadi who departed the country Tuesday, will attend the 46th Session of the AU Executive Council on February 12–14, where AU Foreign Ministers will vote for AUC Commissioners.
This session precedes the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” which will be attended by President William Ruto.
In addition to the Executive Council, Mudavadi will take part in several high-level meetings, including the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG), Changing the Story on Malaria: A big push to deliver a Malaria-free Africa, High-Level event on Immunization Themed “Reaffirming Africa’s Commitment to Immunization” alongside other sideline events.
He will also accompany President Ruto when he chairs the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) and delivers a progress report on AU Institutional Reforms, where Kenya plays a leading role.
“He will also accompany the President Dr. Ruto when, the Head of State chairs the meeting of the Committee of the African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), and also when he gives a progress report to the Assembly on the AU Institutional Reforms as the Champion on the Institutional Reforms of the AU.” The statement read.
Odinga’s bid for the AUC Chairperson position is seen as a strategic move that could enhance Kenya’s influence in continental decision-making.
His vision includes strengthening infrastructure, economic integration, intra-African trade, financial independence, climate action, and gender equality.
Voting process
A candidate must garner a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.
The 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 will elect and appoint the 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 during their Session on the 12-13 February 2025 while The 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 will pick the 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 and 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 during their Session on the 15-16 February 2025.
The voting process begins with all the candidates on the ballot. Voting is conducted 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 and if the third ballot remains inconclusive without any candidate garnering the two-thirds majority, the next ballot shall be restricted to the two candidates who obtained the highest number of votes and the candidate with 𝐟𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧.
Where there are only two candidates initially and neither candidate obtains the majority required after the third ballot, the 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧 and the remaining candidate proceeds to the next round.
If the remaining candidate fails to obtain the two-thirds majority required in that round, the Chairperson is required to 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 the election.
Where there is only one candidate initially and he or she fails to obtain the two-thirds majority required after the third ballot, the current Chairperson is required to 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 the election.
Also read https://www.kbc.co.ke/raila-right-leader-for-african-union-commission-says-ps-singoei/
https://www.kbc.co.ke/raila-is-among-the-top-three-contenders/
https://www.kbc.co.ke/raila-says-auc-bid-an-achievement-regardless-of-election-outcome/