Kenya’s Raila Odinga lost his bid to become the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) to Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahamoud Youssouf Ali.
By Opio Jackson
Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga conceded defeat following his loss in the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid on Saturday in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.
“I am not bitter, I am happy,” said Raila congratulating his main competitor, Youssouf Ali, and stated that he would be available to offer support to the continent whenever needed.
Raila lost his bid to become the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) to Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahamoud Youssouf Ali.
The election held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday, saw 49 African heads of state cast their votes in a highly competitive race for the continent’s top leadership position.
As reported earlier, Youssouf amassed the requisite 33 votes to win the position. Also defeated in the race was former Madagascar Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randramandriato.
With 49 heads of state partaking in the vote, the winner needed two-thirds of the total votes, translating to 33. In round one of the vote, Raila won with 20 votes, against Mahmoud’s 18 votes, and Randiamandrato’s 10.
Having not met the win threshold, the ballot proceeded to the second round, in which Raila garnered 22 votes, against Mahmoud’s 19 and 7 for the Madagascar candidate. Mahmoud proceeded to the seventh round one-man and courted seven votes that propelled him to victory in the Nelson Mandela Hall at the African Union headquarters, which hosted the 38th Ordinary Session of AU’s General Assembly.
Following his defeat, Raila graciously conceded defeat, thanking the leaders for exercising their democratic rights.
“As it is, we did not succeed. We must strengthen democracy in the African continent. Therefore, I am conceding defeat. I want us to use this as an example of fortifying democracy in Africa,” Raila stated.
“I wish my competitor, Mahamoud Yousouff Ali, all the best and success in his new role.”
He also extended his gratitude to the African nations that supported his candidacy.
“I thank the people of Africa, as well as the countries that voted for me and those that did not, for participating in this democratic process. Viva Africa!” Raila said.
Reflecting on the outcome, he remained optimistic, “When you enter a contest, there are only two possible outcomes—a win or a loss, and this is one of them. I am not bitter; in fact, I am happy. I remain available to offer my services to Africa whenever needed,” he added.
The longstanding opposition leader also hinted at his next steps, “I will go back home; there are so many things I need to do there.”
“I thank the people of Africa, as well as the countries that voted for me and those that did not, for participating in this democratic process. Viva Africa!” said Kenya’s former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, in his concession speech.