Somalia's AUC Chair candidate backs Raila after dropping out of race

Former Somalia Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam has backed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s candidature for the African Union Commission Chairperson seat. 

This comes after Fawzia, who also previously served as Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, had been a contender for the seat but later pulled out of the race.

Taking to her social media platforms on Friday, Fawzia expressed her optimism for Mr. Odinga's triumph in the AUC Chair election, promising him her support.

"I am delighted to announce my support for the Right Honourable Raila Odinga in his bid for Chair of the African Union Commission. I extend my heartfelt wishes for his success in this important endeavour," she wrote on X.

She also thanked her supporters who had stood with her before Somalia announced its exit from the AUC race.

"Additionally, I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the governments and individuals who supported my candidacy earlier,” she noted.

Both Somalia and Seychelles pulled out their candidatures for the seat before the submissions deadline was closed on Tuesday this week, paving the way for the next phase of the elections slated for February 2025.

Reports from the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa at the time indicated that by the end of the process, at least 4 key candidates had presented their bids, including Mr. Odinga.

He is seeking to succeed the outgoing Chairperson Moussa Faki who hails from Chad.

Mr. Odinga will be battling Djibouti candidate Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, another candidate from Mauritius who seemed to jump into the fray a bit late, as well as another from the island of Madagascar who is also taking up the challenge.