Raila Odinga Eliminated in African Union Commission Chairperson Race

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been eliminated from the race to become the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). However, his bid may not be entirely over just yet.

In a crucial vote conducted on Saturday, February 15, Raila was narrowly edged out in the sixth round of voting, falling short in his attempt to replace outgoing Chairperson Moussa Faki. His exit marks yet another setback for Kenya at the regional body, following its earlier unsuccessful bids for key positions within the African Union.

With Raila out of the contest, Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf now remains the sole candidate in the running, bringing him within reach of becoming the seventh AUC Chairperson since the Commission’s establishment in 2002. The other contender, Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato, was eliminated after finishing last in the previous rounds.

Despite his elimination, all hope is not lost for Raila. The election process requires a candidate to secure a two-thirds majority to win outright. Should Youssouf fail to achieve this threshold, the race could be reopened, potentially allowing Raila to re-enter the contest.

This development introduces a degree of uncertainty in the final outcome, as African Union member states weigh their options. Raila’s experience as a long-serving politician and pan-African advocate may still play a role in shaping the election’s final phase.

For now, all eyes remain on Youssouf’s ability to garner the necessary votes to secure victory. If he falls short, Raila could get another shot at clinching the top seat in the African Union Commission.

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