Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission Chairperson position, Raila Odinga, says he is ready to face competitors during the much-awaited TV debate on Friday night to articulate policies and solutions for Africa’s challenges.

Raila, who is in Addis Ababa, stated that he is looking forward to highlighting his 10-point plan, which will identify priority areas to accelerate Africa’s progress towards prosperity.

He will debate with Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and former Madagascar Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato.

 

“I am in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia conducting rehearsals for the Mjadala Afrika Debate tomorrow evening. It’s been an occasion here to interact with my fellow contestants for the AUC Chairmanship race.I look forward to highlighting my 10-point plan, which identifies priority areas that I believe will accelerate Africa’s progress towards prosperity,” Raila stated.

 

The debate will be held before a live audience comprising AU Executive Council members, Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) members, AU Commissioners, media representatives, and guests.

 

The debate, dubbed ‘Mjadala Afrika,’ aims to promote the AU’s mission and provide candidates with a platform to communicate their vision for achieving the organization’s goal of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.

The Leadership Debate is scheduled to take place on 13 December 2024 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa starting at 1900 hours East African Time. The debate will be conducted in French and English, with simultaneous interpretation provided to the candidates and the audience in all the six working languages of the African Union (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili.)