The African Union Chairmanship debate dubbed Mjadala Afrika is set to take Centre stage on Friday, December 13, at 7:00 P.M. East Africa Time.
The much-anticipated debate will take place in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, with Kenya’s candidate, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, set to face off against Djibouti’s candidate, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandranto.
In the debate, candidates will share their visions for Africa’s future, addressing critical topics such as infrastructure development, boosting intra-African trade, achieving financial independence, promoting gender equality, transforming agriculture, advancing climate action, fostering digital innovation, empowering youth, enhancing continental integration, and ensuring peace and security.
The debate will be conducted in French and English, with simultaneous interpretation provided to the candidates and the audience in all the six working languages of the African Union (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili which enable Africans across the continent to engage with the audience.
Mjadala Afrika Debate to take place in Addis Ababa
The AUC debate will be televised live in Kenya and Across Africa.
In Kenya the Mjadala Afrika debate will be broadcasted live on Citizen TV.
According to the African Union, the discussions will be broadcast live through the following platforms:
- National Broadcaster Stations
- Multichoice Africa/DSTV – Africa Channel 197 and on free-to-air channels of national broadcasters available on the DSTV platform.
- CNBC Africa Digital Platforms – https://youtube.com/@Cnbcafrica410.
- African Union Livestream – https://au.int/en/auc-leade.
For Raila Odinga he has a 10-point plan, which identifies priority areas that he believes will accelerate Africa’s progress towards prosperity.
Also Read: AUC Candidate Confirms Withdrawal from Race, Endorses Raila
Some of the plans he intends to do is promoting sustainable economic growth within the continent, ensuring equal opportunities and representation for women in all sectors, promoting unity and cooperation among Africa Nations and Modernizing agriculture to ensure food security and boost rural economies.
Odinga’s vision aims to align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, focusing on a prosperous, integrated, and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens.
What Raila needs to do to secure the position
So far Raila has secured endorsement from 7 East Africa Community Member States which include Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, DRC, Kenya and South Sudan.
To win the Chairmanship election, Odinga needs to secure at least two-thirds of the support from the 55 member states.
However, with the suspension of countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Benin, Gabon, Guinea, and Niger, Odinga will require at least 33 votes from the member states to succeed Musa Faki as the AUC chairman.
Also Read: Raila to Make Keynote Address in Ethiopia as His AUC Campaign Enters Crucial Stage
The former Prime Minister faces stiff competition from Djibouti candidate, Youssouf who is seen by many as a formidable opponent.
AUC Chairmanship elections are slated for February 2025 during the 38 AU Summit in Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia.
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs minister Musalia Mudavadi wished Odinga well ahead of the debate.
“As former Prime Minister Raila Odinga steps onto the stage for the Africa Leadership Debate (Mjadala Afrika), I send my best wishes to him as he prepares to engage his esteemed opponents in the race for the African Union Commission Chairperson seat,” said Mudavadi.
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