- On Saturday, Djibouti’s Mahamoud Youssouf emerged victorious in AUC chairmanship elections, securing 33 votes within the seventh spherical.
- Nevertheless, Kenya’s Ruto claims that the continent misplaced a precious alternative by not electing Raila Odinga.
- For Djibouti, Africa deserved higher than Raila.
The rivalry between Kenya and Djibouti that was marked by campaigns main as much as the election of the African Union Fee Chairman (AUC) put up seems removed from over. Within the newest twist, authorities in Djibouti have hit again at President William Ruto who on Sunday expressed disappointment over the failure of leaders of Africa to vote Kenya’s candidate Raila Odinga.
In a put up on X (previously Twitter), Amb . Moussa Mohamed Omar of Djibouti acknowledged, “In response to President Ruto on Citizen TV Kenya: claiming Africa “misplaced a possibility” is dishonest. 33 heads of state selected Mahmoud, the appropriate alternative for Africa’s challenges, refusing to let the AU be hostage to Kenyan home politics. Africa deserved higher than Raila.”
Ambassador Moussa Mohamed Omar is the Director of Communication, Ministry of Overseas Affairs and Worldwide Cooperation of Djibouti in accordance with his X profile.
On Sunday, President William Ruto posted on X claiming that the continent misplaced a precious alternative by not electing Raila Odinga. Mr. Odinga is a former Prime Minister and the chief of the opposition coalition Azimio.
“I’m dissatisfied that Raila Amolo Odinga didn’t win the AUC Chair elections as a result of he was the very best candidate,” famous President Ruto.
President Ruto: Africa missed a possibility
Like a big variety of leaders in Kenya, Dr. Ruto famous that Mr. Odinga’s expertise and imaginative and prescient would have superior Africa’s pursuits on the worldwide stage. “I remorse that Africa missed a possibility to be served by one of many best leaders on our continent,” he added.
“Raila Odinga was the very best candidate that we might put ahead. He was accessible. At any time when I booked an appointment, he was there. At any time when he needed to journey, he was there. Whether or not early morning or late night, he was current and he was there all the way in which,” he remarked.
He insists that Raila, greater than most candidates he has encountered within the political enviornment, demonstrated a resilience that instructions admiration.
“As a politician I’ve supported many candidates. On this African Union chairmanship, Tinga, Baba, Raila Odinga exceeded all expectations. He drove the marketing campaign prefer it ought to have occurred and I’m very pleased with him,” Dr. Ruto acknowledged.
Throughout the nation, nevertheless, opinion stays divided with a siginificant variety of Kenya’s expressing their assist for the brand new AUC chairman Mahmoud Youssouf. As an example, @Joseph_Kalimbwe mentioned, “For this reason Kenyans assist Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti. Sellouts and traitors must not ever succeed.” In one more tweet, @Abdi_Guled mentioned, “Congratulations to Mahamoud Ali Yusuf on his election as AUC chairperson! A seasoned diplomat taking over a vital position at a vital time for Africa.”
For the time being, claims and counterclaims proceed to tell the general public discourse in Kenya as opinion leaders debate on why Raila Odinga misplaced to Mahmoud Youssouf of Djibouti.
Addressing the media in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, shortly after he misplaced to Djibouti’s candidate Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Raila Odinga congratulated his opponent for the win.
“I had supplied myself as a candidate, over the previous few months I’ve run across the continent speaking to completely different leaders of the continent canvassing for his or her vote and immediately they’ve expressed themselves. Because it stands now, we didn’t succeed,” he mentioned.
“We are saying that we should strengthen democracy within the African continent and I’m due to this fact conceding defeat, and I need us to make use of this for example of strengthening democracy in our continent.”
Odinga added: “I need to want my competitor Ali Youssouf all the very best and success in his endeavor and likewise need to thank all those that voted for me and those that didn’t due to exercising their democracy.”
How Mahamoud Youssouf beat Raila Odinga
Mahamoud Youssouf emerged victorious in Saturday’s AUC chairmanship elections, securing 33 votes within the seventh spherical—assembly the required two-thirds threshold. He’s set to switch Chad’s Moussa Faki, who has held the place for eight years.
Kenyan opposition chief Raila Odinga led the primary two rounds however misplaced momentum in subsequent rounds, finally conceding defeat to Youssouf.
Within the opening spherical, Raila garnered 20 votes, edging out Youssouf, who secured 18, whereas Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato acquired 10 votes. One nation abstained. Raila prolonged his lead within the second spherical with 22 votes, adopted by Youssouf at 19 and Randriamandrato at 7, with one abstention.
Nevertheless, the tide shifted within the third spherical. Youssouf surged forward with 23 votes, whereas Raila slipped to twenty. Randriamandrato, who managed solely 5 votes, was eradicated from the race.
With solely two candidates remaining, Youssouf tightened his grip on the lead. Within the fourth spherical, he secured 25 votes in opposition to Raila’s 21, with one spoilt vote and one abstention. The fifth spherical noticed Youssouf enhance his tally to 26, whereas Raila remained at 21, with one nation abstaining.
Youssouf maintained his lead within the sixth spherical, repeating his 26-vote rely in opposition to Raila’s 22, with one other abstention. This end result eradicated Raila from the competition, leaving Youssouf as the only candidate within the decisive seventh spherical, the place he clinched the two-thirds majority to assert the AUC chairmanship.
His victory marks a brand new chapter for the African Union Fee, setting the stage for his management in shaping the continent’s agenda.
Learn additionally: “I’m able to serve Africa”: Kenya’s Odinga formally bids for AU’s high seat
