Major Setback for Raila as 16 Countries Given New Directive
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ambition of becoming the next African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson has been dealt a blow after the Southern African Development Community (SADC) told its 16 member states to support Madagascar’s candidate, Richard Randriamandrato.
SADC comprises 16 countries which are located in the Southern part of Africa including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Lesotho, and Madagascar.
Other countries under the same economic bloc are Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
According to SADC, the decision was reached following a meeting held in Harare, Zimbabwe, last year when the 16 countries agreed to collaborate and front a candidate.
During the said meeting, the Committee of Ambassadors in Addis Ababa jointly with the Office of the Permanent Representative to the African Union were tasked with finding a potential candidate for the top continental role.
