Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, AUC Candidate in Addis Ababa ahead of Mjadala Afrika debate scheduled for today// Photo Courtesy.
Rt. Hon Raila Odinga arrived on Wednesday in AU headquarters Addis Ababa, Ethiopia alongside two other candidates, attending the Mjadala Debate which is scheduled for today Friday December 13, 2024 from 1900 to 2100HRS East Africa Time (EAT) or 1600 to 1800HRS GMT.
The debate is part of the election preparations as the campaigns gain momentum ahead of the Februray 2025 elections for the African Union Chairmanship.
Mjadala Africa provides a platform for the candidates in the AUC Chairmanship race to engage and present their visions, priorities, and ideas on various policy issues towards realizing the AUC Agenda 2063.
In this spirited debate, Odinga, will face off with two distinguished contenders: Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister and Richard Randriamandrato, Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister.
This is after Mauritius’ Former Foreign Affairs Minister Anil Gayan ,who was one of the four seeking the AU Chairmanship position recently withdrew its candidature and announced support for Odinga.
Odinga is set to present a 10-point plan that identifies priority areas that he believes will accelerate Africa’s progress towards achieving the continent’s long term objectives.
“I look forward to highlighting my 10-point plan, which identifies priority areas that I believe will accelerate Africa’s progress towards prosperity,” announced Odinga.
Raila’s agenda emphasizes on Economic Transformation; Increasing intra -African Trade which he is seeking to advocate for open skies as well as visa harmonisation across Africa; Infrastructure Development ; Financial Independence for the African Union ; Gender Equity and Equality ; Agricultural transformation ; Climate Action- Harnessing Youth Potential ; Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence ; Continental Integration and Peace and Security across the continent.
According to TRT Afrika, the debate is set to be televised from the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia conducted in English and French and live streamed on National televisions of member states , AU’s website, YouTube, X space, Facebook and Instagram.
The debate will also be translated in Arabic , Portuguese, Spanish and Kiswahili which are other official languages of AU.
