AUC Chairmanship race: Raila ready to face two competitors in debate today

Kenya’s candidate for the Africa Union Commission Chairperson, Raila Odinga on Thursday arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ahead of the Mjadala Afrika Debate scheduled for Friday, December 13.

He was received by the Deputy Head of Mission at Addis Ababa, Petronila Were and later headed to the Africa Union’s Multi-Purpose Hall where he met other candidates for the AUC role, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. 

The trio were taken through a rehearsal ahead of Friday’s Mjadala Afrika, Debate.

"I am in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia conducting rehearsals for the Mjadala Afrika Debate tomorrow evening. It's been an occasion here to interact with my fellow contestants for the AUC Chairmanship race," Raila posted on his X platform.

The two-hour long debate will be televised live on Citizen TV from the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 7pm to 9pm.

Raila who embarked on a vigorous shuttle diplomacy for his AUC Chairperson bid is expected to present his 10-point plan on Economic Transformation; Infrastructure Development; Financial independence, Gender Equity and Equality; Agricultural transformation; Climate Action; Harnessing Youth Potential; Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence; Continental Integration, and Peace and Security across the continent.

The 2024 edition of the Mjadala Afrika Debate presents a landmark event in the lead-up to the election of the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission in February 2025.