The Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate is set to be broadcast live from Addis Ababa in all six official African Union languages—English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili. Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga is among the three contenders vying for the prestigious position of AUC Chairperson.
Odinga will face off against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar in what promises to be a high-stakes contest. This debate provides a critical platform for the candidates to present their visions for Africa’s future, focusing on leadership strategies to tackle the continent’s challenges.
Raila Odinga’s campaign has emphasized his transformative vision for Africa, outlined in a 10-point plan. His manifesto prioritizes advancing regional integration, promoting peace and security, addressing climate change, bolstering intra-African trade, and empowering youth and women. “I look forward to highlighting my 10-point plan, which identifies priority areas that I believe will accelerate Africa’s progress towards prosperity,” he stated in a post on X.
In Nairobi, Raila’s candidacy has drawn widespread support. Governor Johnson Sakaja extended his best wishes during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, emphasizing the significance of the bid. “We want to wish Raila Amolo Odinga success in tomorrow’s debate in Addis Ababa and pray that next year we shall celebrate with the new AUC Chairman, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga,” Sakaja remarked. He also praised recent displays of unity between Raila and Kenya’s former President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying such moments boost investor confidence and reinforce Kenya’s stability.
This race comes at a pivotal time for Africa, as the continent grapples with challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, political instability, and youth unemployment. The AUC Chairperson will play a crucial role in shaping Africa’s trajectory, acting as both an advocate for the continent on the global stage and an architect of its developmental policies.
“I am in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, conducting rehearsals for the Mjadala Afrika Debate tomorrow evening,” Raila noted in a statement. He described the occasion as an opportunity to interact with his fellow contestants in the AUC Chairmanship race. Raila’s campaign manager, Elkanah Odembo, expressed confidence in his candidate’s preparedness. “Candidate RAO is ready, and we believe Africa will see that he truly stands head and shoulders above the competitors,” Odembo said.
Raila’s rivals are also poised to present their policy frameworks. Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, an experienced diplomat and advocate for Africa’s role in global affairs, is expected to emphasize foreign policy. Meanwhile, Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato, a former finance minister, will likely focus on economic development as a cornerstone of his agenda.
The debate marks a critical moment as Africa seeks to navigate its internal challenges and complex global dynamics. Raila’s long history of leadership, democratic advocacy, and coalition-building has garnered attention, with many supporters seeing his vision of an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous Africa as aligned with the goals of the African Union.
The Mjadala Afrika Debate, airing live on major television networks and online platforms, is a significant step in the countdown to elect the next AUC Chairperson. Diplomats, policy experts, and citizens from across the continent will closely scrutinize Raila’s 10-point plan and those of his opponents. This evening’s debate could profoundly influence the race and Africa’s future.
