Mr Raila Odinga (right) at the "Mjadala Africa" rehearsal at Africa Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on December 12, 2024.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s live debate in which the candidates for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) will outline their vision and agenda.
In the Mjadala Afrika debate, Mr Odinga will face two candidates: Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar's former Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato.
Mauritius candidate Anil Kumarsingh Gayan withdrew from the race after his nation endorsed Mr Odinga.
Mr Odinga arrived in Addis on Wednesday evening where he was received by Kenya’s Deputy Head of Mission in Ethiopia, Ms Petronila Were.
It is all systems go as Mr Odinga seeks the top regional post and will seize the opportunity at the debate to sell his vision.
The former premier argues that “at this pivotal moment, at which our many opportunities risk being overshadowed by looming global challenges, we need an African Union Commission that can deliver on the priorities of the African peoples – both by catalysing delivery on our continent and by commanding the global influence it rightfully warrants.”
“As a lifelong Pan-Africanist who has represented my country across the continent and my continent across the world, a leader who has delivered results in every position that I have ever held – at the local, national and international levels – I am convinced that I am the ideal person to serve my continent and its member states in this critical role as the African Union Commission Chairperson,” Mr Odinga says in his vision statement.
His vision is hinged on eight priority and strategy points to address what he refers to as the most pressing challenges facing the continent.
They include economic transformation, enhancing intra-African trade, financial independence, gender equity and equality, agricultural transformation, and climate action.
Others are continental integration, as well as peace and security.
“Sustainable and equitable economic growth is foundational to our development. I will champion initiatives to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, attract investment, and promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
“I will drive policies that create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve lives and I commit to promoting industrialisation, supporting manufacturing, and enhancing innovation through investments in education, healthcare, affordable energy, and skills development,” the former premier says.
On enhancing intra-African trade, he argues that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a transformative opportunity to establish a common market and boost intra-African trade.
At present, he says, intra-African trade is paltry, the lowest among other continents, hindering Africa's economic independence and interdependence.
“I will advocate for open skies, visa policy harmonisation, and infrastructure development to facilitate seamless connectivity and movement of goods, and peoples across Africa.”
Overcoming these barriers, he argues, will spur economic growth and position Africa as a global economic player and leader.
Mr Odinga holds that Africa must mobilise domestic resources to reduce reliance and overdependence on external funding.
“I will rally the member states and engage the private sector to finance AU priorities, ensuring sustainable development and delivery on continental goals.
“I will advocate for the reform of the global financial architecture to prioritise the needs of Africa to ensure equitable participation in global economic decisions,” adds Mr Odinga.
On his quest to enhance gender equity and equality, the former Prime Minister holds that no demographic is more vulnerable to the challenges that face Africa than women and girls.
“Africa's Agenda 2063 cannot be achieved unless marginalisation, exclusion, and discrimination against women and girls are fully addressed. Throughout my life, I have been an indefatigable champion of women and girls. As Chairperson of AUC, I will prioritise opportunity, dignity, and security for women and girls across the continent.”
In his bid to transform agriculture, he notes that there is an urgent need for Africa to feed itself.
Mr Odinga says that Africa needs to catalyse a transformative shift in its agri-food systems to cultivate more efficient, inclusive, and resilient agricultural practices. “I will promote sustainable food production, agribusiness and the modernisation of agriculture to reinforce food security, foster job creation and enhance rural livelihoods,” he says.
“Moreover, I will ensure Africa's food systems are independent and secure from predatory practices. I will endeavour to promote market access within the continent and value addition in our agricultural and aquaculture sectors. This concerted effort will ensure sustainable development and address food insecurity in our continent.”
He also promises stringent climate actions if he wins the AUC post.
“My priority is to ensure that African people do not pay for a problem that they had no part in creating. As such, I am focused on mobilising the necessary support for climate change adaptation, enhanced early warning systems, and rapid responses to climate-induced shocks.
“Further, I will promote climate-positive investments, and financing, leverage renewable energy resources, and integrate climate-smart strategies into our economic plans, to secure a sustainable future for Africa.”
He promises to raise Africa's voice at international forums on climate change, climate action, and climate justice.
“Strengthening regional integration and cooperation is essential for promoting trade, infrastructure development, and economic growth. I will support the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and drive implementation of initiatives to enhance continental unity and prosperity,’ Mr Odinga says.
He also underscores the need to enhance security and foster peace in the continent, noting that peace and security are essential prerequisites for development.
“In this regard, I will prioritise conflict resolution and work with African leaders across the continent to address the root causes of instability, and promote functional institutions to create a conducive environment for Africa's development and prosperity.”
The Mjadala Afrika live debate provides a platform for candidates to address African citizens, focusing on policy issues and a solutions-oriented engagement on how each candidate intends to advance the realisation of the aspirations and goals of Agenda 2063.
Mr Odinga has argued that he is the best bet for Africa, saying he is persuaded that his vision and priorities will propel Africa to a new era of sustainable peace, continental integration, shared prosperity and meaningful partnerships.
The debate will allow all the candidates to communicate their plans for the continent.
The debate will take place at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and will be conducted in all the six official working languages of the AU including English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, and Kiswahili.
Simultaneous interpretation will be provided to the candidates and the audience in the room as well as broadcast and digital platform channels in all the six working languages of the African Union.
“In collaboration with Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (the national broadcaster of the host country of the AU, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia), the Commission has made arrangements to ensure that every public broadcaster in the AU member states will be able to broadcast the debate live, in any of the six AU languages,” the Commission said.
