— by Magreth Mombury —
On December 13, 2024, the African Union headquarters (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) hosted the Mjadala Afrika Debate for African Union Chairmanship. The debate involved three candidates: H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Foreign Affairs Minister of Djibouti; H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, Former Prime Minister of Kenya; and H.E. Richard J. Randriamandrato, Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Madagascar.
The debate is an important platform and a testament to the African Union’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity. The candidates showcased their ideas and vision for the continent’s future. The election is due to take place in February 2025, but this was a pivotal moment for the candidates to discuss key thematic issues that the continent is facing. Therefore, the elected candidate will have a great task in shaping the trajectory of Africa’s unity, innovation, and global influence.
The next section is the thematic insights that were part and parcel of the Mjadala Afrika Debate:
Transforming Natural Wealth into Prosperity
Despite Africa’s immense natural resource wealth, its people still face hunger, poor healthcare, and limited access to education. Candidates outlined strategies to translate this wealth into tangible benefits by addressing debt reduction, ensuring sustainable AU financing, and empowering Africa’s economic autonomy. They also highlighted their plans to optimize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for inclusive growth and economic integration.
Silencing the Guns and Strengthening Africa’s Global Position
With the AU’s goal of silencing guns by 2030 yet to be achieved, candidates proposed fostering African solutions for sustainable conflict prevention, management, and resolution. They also emphasized the need to accelerate Africa’s campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, ensuring stronger representation on the global stage.
Reviving Pan-Africanism and Countering External Influence
Pan-Africanism, once a unifying ideology, is under threat from internal divisions and external interference. Aspirants to the AU Chairmanship presented plans to rekindle Pan-Africanism, resist big-power politics, and position Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as pivotal drivers of integration. Resource self-reliance and collective action emerged as cornerstones of their vision.
Reinvigorating African Union Reforms
Stalled reforms have impeded the structural and financial stability of the African Union. Candidates discussed new approaches to reinvigorate these reforms, streamline the AU’s agenda, and enhance its long-term effectiveness, emphasizing accountability, efficiency, and impactful governance.
Conclusion
The debate underscored the urgency of decisive and visionary leadership for Africa’s future. Each thematic question revealed critical pathways for sustainable development, conflict resolution, integration, and institutional reform. The next Chairperson will hold the responsibility of translating these ambitions into reality, steering the continent towards prosperity, peace, and unity.
