The member countries that make up the African Union (AU) are expected chose a new leader today to head its commission. The 38 summit of the AU is underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Three candidates are vying for the passion of the AU Commission Chair. They are seeking to replace Moussa Faki Mahamat.
They are Raila Odinga from Kenyan, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti and H.E. Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar.
Elections in Challenging Times
Whosoever becomes the commission Chairperson will be taking a body that overseas a continent plagued by challenges.
All African countries are third world or developing countries.
However, the outgoing Commission Chair, Faki Moussa Mahamat from Chad, has not been able to tackle the continent’s challenges.
Africa is facing conflict and disease further compounded by overreliance on the West.
Currently, there is a conflict in DR Congo. It has the attention of the internal community because the Central African state is rich with mineral resources.
The M23 rebels backed by Uganda are challenging its territory. Some African countries under the UN Peacekeeping forces have deployed troops there. However, it has not been able to push back the rebels who recently seized the town of Goma and are advancing to the capital.
Apart from DRC, there is still continued conflict in Somalia. AU peacekeepers have been fighting the jihadist Al-Shabaab for years. However, it has never succeeded as the terrorists are still persisting.
USAIDS Suspended
The continent is now grappling with a health crisis as the United States has suspended funding of its USAIDS.
The US has been pumping billions into these countries for the fight against diseases like HIV and malaria.
Since funding was cut, the African Disease Control expressed dissatisfaction.
They continent had relied on the US funding for years.
So, it is hoped that as the deliberations are underway, the leaders will try to look for solutions to these problems.
And whoever will take over from Faki Mahamat will have a challenging task to resolve those issues.
Manifestos of the various candidates
Raila Odinga, former Kenya Prime Minister, is campaigning for an independent Africa.
He has promised economic transformation, enhancing AfCFTA, which is the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, financial independence, agricultural transformation, gender equality and equity, climate action, and peace and security.
