Musalia Mudavadi says East Africa is ripe for the chairmanship of the African Union next year. This was a key agenda of the 44th ordinary session of the AU’s Executive Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In a wide-ranging interview, Dr Mudavadi said election rules under the AU reforms provide for a more equitable and inclusive rotation of the chair and commissioners.
“South, Central and West Africa have served as chair at various times since 2002 but East and North Africa have never had a chance,” he noted.
Mudavadi also talked about Africa’s challenge of ensuring peace and security to stem disruption and humanitarian crises in conflict hot spots, where millions of children are displaced from school. The theme is this year’s AU assembly is Preparing Africans Through Education For The 21st Century.
He defended Kenya’s police against claims of impunity, affirming the constitutional right of Kenyans to seek redress from the Independent Police Oversight Authority.
He also outlined the benefits of AU’s participation in the Group of 20 (G20) and the need to deepen the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. These issues will be part of the agenda of the 37th AU Heads of State and Government Summit this weekend.
Earlier today, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was backed by former Head of State of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo for the top job; AU Chairperson. Raila declared interest in the seat to replace Chad’s Moussa Faki as the chairperson.
He explained that he was ready to serve the continent and promote positive socio-economic change. In previous years, Mr. Odinga served as the High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa under Moussa Faki.