As the African Union (AU) is preparing to elect the person the chairman of its next commission in February. Three major contenders are now in the headlines to fill Africa’s top diplomat seat.
Mahmood Ali Yusuf, a Djibouti’s Forent Minister, is an experienced diplomat used to navigate the shadow of power. He is promising to reopen the image of the entire continent for the Eyonst Madagascar’s forefront, Foreign Minister Richard Randrandrato, for economists.
But the race is led by Kenai political heavyweight Rella Odinga, a political warrior, who should still be tested with an incomplete fight at home.
Each male has a different vision for the continent, and each claims to bring the required experience to the job. But who can really say what he takes to run Africa through his next chapter?
Oldinga’s legacy: Partition in Kenya but support across Africa
Oldinga is one of the most recognizable political figures in Kenya – his name provokes passion and division in similar measurement.
A former Prime Minister, 80 -year -old, is considered a fearless champion of democracy by those who are loyal to him. However, for his critics, he is a political relics: a five -time President contenders who have mastered the art of losing and refusing to lose.
While Odinga has fought to win over voters in Kenya, peace talks in the rest of Africa and his experience in the development of infrastructure have earned him his religion beyond the boundaries of his original nation.
His tenure as AU’s high -proclaimed for infrastructure advocated him a major projects such as the establishment of the African continental free trade sector (AFCFTA) and the regional transport corridors.
But can he lead the AU Whis country which is divided under his leadership?
Kenai unpopular with youth
Oldinga’s domestics critics argue that his close relationship with Kenai administration and President William Ruto to have his recent relationship – although he is heartbreaking – shows that his political existence has been focused more.
On the streets of Kenai capital Nairobi, opinion on Oinga is more different than ever.
“I think his popularity is declining, which has become the worst during the Finance Bill last year,” says Kenyan programmer Eugene Umar.
Omar told DW that he feels that Oding has lost specially with people, especially among the youth of the country, who says AU shares his doubts about Olding’s dialect for leadership.
“People really felt that he joined the phantom Ruto’s favor, while most of the youth of the country decided that it was a change time. So at this point, I would not know, so much for AU seat Popular, whereas it should be, while the rhythm of their country does not trust him.
In fact, most Kenyan says that Odinga’s dialect, while some, such as media experts insect silage, believe that he is still the right man for the job.
He said, “His extensive experience in governance and diplomacy, which includes previous roles as a high representative of the African Union for the development of infrastructure, as a competent candidate to address the continent as a competent candidate to address him,” He told DW.
“His ability to navigate the scenario of complex politics will prove the value in solving some challenges in the continent.”
Youssouf: Diplomacy as a strength and foundation
At the age of 59, Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali Yusuf is a two -decade junior of Odinga, and has been serving just for a long time as the main diplomat of his country.
Unsouf brings the deep understanding of African geopolitics to leadership competition: to balance the relationship with the broking grinding in the horn of Africa, he deployed his nation as an important player Africa and beyond that Is.
Their AU vision is Embubus: strong safety policies, deep regional integration, and a more vocal Africa on the world stage.
Their track records include interacting with major global powers, maintaining strategic importance of Djibouti as hosting several foreign military bases.
Balancing all thesis responsibilities, which inspires the Kenai banker Kevin Sev to vach for you at his fellow country, Odinga.
“The situation requires something with energy, a young man, someone who can cross the continent from Sahel region to Sudan to DRC, and therefore most likely, I see a better candidate to the Djibouti man a better candidate Hoon, “Sew told DW.
However, critics have been highlighted that the records of human rights of Djibouti and its clearly democratic processes may prove to be a possible stumbling for Youngf.
Djibouti has ruled with little political opposition by President Ismail Omar Guleh since 1999, many people wonder whether Jesus is a necessary understanding on the table to lead the top institute of Africa instead of giving priority to the interests of his home government. Brings
Randriyamandrato: Economics can only fix Africa
At the age of 56, Richard Randramandrato is the youngest name that has thrown his hat in the ring. Former Madagascar’s former foreign minister is an economist by training and is not actually considered as an assable political heavyweight.
But Randriyamandrato first and most importantly believes that the number is the key to unlocking the future ability of the continent, not political speech.
He operates an AU operated by financial freedom, regional trade, and permanent growth instead of endless diplomatic circles, arguing that Africa should be free from its dependence on foreign aid, pushing for strong economic integration, And should invest in local industries.
But is this expertise enough to give him a leading lead? Unlike Oding and Joseph, critics say that Randriyamandrato lacks deep political and diplomatic understanding that a job may be required, and the fact that it is not as deep that is not connected to policy, so it is numbered. Can spend
Some people question their vision as very ambitious; But in an institution where strength and influence often affect outside policy, it remains to be seen whether an economist can manage excluding experienced politicians.
Who can fix the problem of Africa?
While each contestant can bring strength and weaknesses in his job interview in Adis Ababa, AU must choose a candidate who addresses a long list of crises in Africa.
War in countries such as Sudan and Congo, hostile military rule in West Africa, economic institutions and poor nations in Central Africa, and beyond that, migration crisis in Magreb, and reducing the effects of climate change in the continent. AU is expected to return to the top diplomatic desk in the coming year.
As AU members prepare the state to vote, they should consider that the most relevant to the status of the candidates: political influence, diplomatic skills, or a bold economic vision?
Political analyst Josephte Kamya said that a person with the next chair must have skills to deal with all thesis issues: “We need new thinking and we need modern thinking.”
Whether it is an experienced politician, a clever strategist, or a stausar economist who finds to lead Africa in the future will cut his work.
Edited by: Sartar Sanderson
