African Union : Who will succeed Moussa Faki ?

As the 46th ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union opened on Wednesday in Addis Ababa, attention is focused on the succession of Chadian Moussa Faki Mahamat to the presidency of the Commission. This preparatory meeting for the 38th summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for February 15 and 16 in the Ethiopian capital, marks the beginning of a crucial period for the pan-African organization, which will have to choose between three East African candidates to lead its executive body. The succession comes at a particularly delicate time, marked by the proliferation of regional conflicts and security challenges on the continent. Raila Odinga, a historical figure of the Kenyan opposition, emerges as the favorite in this race for the presidency. At 80, this former political prisoner, who spent nearly eight years in arbitrary detention between 1982 and 1991 for his opposition to the one-party regime in Kenya, has the official support of many heads of state, including Kenyan President William Ruto. His impressive political career, which includes five presidential bids and a brief exile in Norway, is a testament to his political resilience. Having entered the Kenyan Parliament during the first multiparty elections in 1992, Odinga has had to face questions regarding his advanced age and his national political ambitions, having hinted at the possibility of running for the Kenyan presidency again in 2027.

Opposing him is Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, 59, Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2005, who presents himself as an experienced diplomat. A polyglot who speaks French, English, and Arabic, this close ally of President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh has run a discreet campaign, emphasizing his diplomatic skills and his ability to navigate the complex waters of continental politics. In a recent interview, he pointed to governance issues in certain African countries, particularly those that have experienced coups.

The third candidate, Richard Randriamandrato, 55, former Malagasy Minister of Foreign Affairs, adds a unique dimension to this race. His last-minute candidacy in August was marked by his singular background, particularly his dismissal in October 2022 from his position as Foreign Minister after voting in favor of a UN resolution condemning Russia’s annexations in Ukraine. His previous experience as Madagascar’s Minister of Finance adds an economic dimension to his profile.

This election promises to be a decisive moment for the African Union, which must choose between Odinga’s political experience, Youssouf’s diplomatic expertise, and Randriamandrato’s technocratic profile, all while the organization faces major challenges in terms of peace, security, and economic development.