The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called for member states to support Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato in the African Union Commission chairperson elections. A letter from the SADC Secretariat confirmed Madagascar’s formal request for support. With time constraints limiting further discussions, the endorsement from SADC is expected to influence the competitive dynamics of the election, against contenders like Raila Odinga and Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, as the AU summit nears in Ethiopia.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has formally encouraged its member states to support Richard Randriamandrato, the former Foreign Affairs Minister of Madagascar, in the upcoming African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson elections. In a letter dated February 12 from the SADC Secretariat, it was confirmed that Madagascar had requested support from the 16 member states for Randriamandrato’s candidacy.
Due to time constraints, the SADC Council determined that convening an Extraordinary Council of Ministers to discuss the request was not feasible. Thus, a letter from the Secretariat would suffice to rally support among member states. The letter explicitly promotes Richard J. Randriamandrato as a suitable candidate for the AUC Chairperson, emphasizing compliance with a resolution made by the Council in August 2024.
The SADC Secretariat highlighted that Randriamandrato is the sole shortlisted candidate from their region for this prestigious position. The letter, signed by SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi, was disseminated to all 16 member states, including notable countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. This move demonstrates SADC’s collective support for its region’s candidate in the competitive AUC elections.
This endorsement from the SADC could dramatically influence the dynamics of the election, setting Randriamandrato against prominent contenders including Raila Odinga of Kenya and Mahamoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti. As the Heads of State commenced their arrival in Ethiopia for the African Union’s 38th Ordinary Summit on Thursday, anticipation builds for the electoral proceedings.
As leaders like President William Ruto arrived alongside other notable figures such as Botswana’s Duma Boko and Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, the stage is set for what promises to be a highly competitive election for the AUC Chairperson, alongside the deputy chairperson. The summit serves as a crucial platform for these elections, signaling a pivotal moment in regional governance.
In summary, the SADC has officially extended its support to Richard Randriamandrato as the candidate for the AUC Chairperson elections, underscoring the importance of unity among member states. This endorsement is poised to enhance Randriamandrato’s competitiveness against distinguished opponents. As the African Union’s summit approaches, the implications of SADC’s backing are significant for the region’s representation within the African Union.
Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke
