ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc of 16 member states, has issued a formal call to its members to support Madagascar’s candidate in the upcoming African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship elections scheduled for Saturday, February 15th.
This eleventh-hour endorsement could significantly impact the candidacy of Kenya’s Raila Odinga, who had been actively seeking support from SADC nations to bolster his chances.
In a letter dated February 12th, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi confirmed the bloc’s endorsement of Madagascar’s candidate, Richard Randriamandrato.
Magosi emphasized that Randriamandrato remains the sole SADC representative in the race for the AUC chairmanship.
Odinga faces stiff competition from two other contenders: Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Randriamandrato.
This late endorsement by SADC could potentially shift the balance of power within the voting bloc, potentially impacting Odinga’s electoral prospects.
“I write to notify you, Honourable Minister, that Honourable Richard J. Randriamandrato, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Madagascar, has been shortlisted as the sole candidate from the SADC region for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission,” Magosi stated.
He further explained that, given the limited time before the election, there was no need to convene an Extraordinary Council of Ministers to deliberate on Madagascar’s request, instead, the secretariat’s letter seeking regional backing would suffice.
“In consultation with the Chairperson of Council, and given the short time before the election of the Chairperson, there is no need to convene an Extraordinary Council of Ministers to consider the request from Madagascar. A letter from the Secretariat seeking SADC Member States’ support for Madagascar’s candidature should suffice.”
“This letter, therefore, serves to encourage SADC Member States to support Mr. Richard J. Randriamandrato, our region’s candidate, for the position of AUC Chairperson in the upcoming elections,” Magosi added.
Also Read: Raila’s bid for AU chair: List of countries supporting him so far
SADC’s 16 member countries include Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Kenya’s President, William Ruto, landed in Addis Ababa on Thursday to participate in the 38th Ordinary Summit of the African Union. The gathering will see heads of state casting their ballots to choose the next Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission.
According to AU regulations, the election process is conducted through a secret ballot system. Voting will continue until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority from the 55 member states, which amounts to at least 33 votes.
