In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Kenya’s Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei downplayed SADC’s letter urging support for Madagascar’s AUC candidate, calling it a non-binding request.
- Raila Odinga’s team, including President Ruto, is actively lobbying for votes ahead of the February 15 election.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has dismissed concerns over a letter from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), urging its 16 member states to support Madagascar’s candidate, Richard Randriamandrato, for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.
Speaking to Citizen TV on the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sing’Oei clarified that the letter was merely a request from the SADC Secretary General and not a binding decision. He emphasized that member states are not obligated to follow the recommendation.
He further explained that the letter was addressed to the bloc’s foreign ministers as a last-minute attempt to sway votes in Madagascar’s favor, against its two main competitors—Kenya’s Raila Odinga and Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
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“If you look at the letter, it is written by the SADC Secretary General, a bureaucrat, and is dated February 12—just five days before the election,” he noted. “It is addressed to foreign ministers and introduces the candidate as if nobody knows him. It also states that there isn’t enough time to hold a ministerial summit to endorse the decision.”
According to Sing’Oei, this indicates that the endorsement has not been approved at the heads-of-state level. “In the end, the letter simply urges support for Madagascar’s candidate, but we do not believe it will have much influence. We have already received assurances from several SADC countries backing our candidate.”
Despite SADC’s lobbying efforts, Sing’Oei revealed that Raila Odinga’s campaign team, including President William Ruto, has been actively reaching out to African leaders in the SADC region to secure votes.
“The months of campaigning have now come down to 24 hours. We have done everything possible. Raila himself has visited over 30 countries, engaging with top leaders. The president and the Prime Cabinet Secretary have also been making calls and holding strategic meetings,” he added.
Sing’Oei also called for reforms within the African Union to address certain challenges, such as Madagascar’s dual representation of both the Eastern and Southern regions.
“This election is meant to be for a candidate from the Eastern region. However, Madagascar straddles both the Eastern and Southern regions,” he pointed out. “Technically, Madagascar should not be on the ballot for the Eastern region. If it were the Southern region’s turn, they could still contest.”
The high-stakes AUC elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 15.
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