ODM leader Raila Odinga is set to face his two main rivals for the African Union Commission chairperson position in a debate scheduled for Friday.
Mr Odinga will face Anil Gayan (Mauritius), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (Djibouti) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar).
The Africa Leadership Debate, or Mjadala Afrika to be held on Friday December 13, 2024, will run from 1900 to 2100hrs East Africa Time. It will be held at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The event seeks to provide candidates with an opportunity to outline their vision of how they would lead the transformation of Africa.
This is the first time the AUC candidates will be sharing a platform since declaring interest to succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki.
The AU, in a statement, said that Mjadala Afrika, which translates to “African Debate” in Swahili, aims to engage the candidates vying for the position of the AUC Chairperson, in a meaningful dialogue.
Candidates are expected to give their vision about the future direction and work of the African Union, discussions that are particularly relevant as Africa seeks to navigate a rapidly changing global landscape.
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The debate will feature a panel of candidates who will respond to questions posed by two moderators, one in English and the other in French.
Candidates will also answer a few questions from online participants of the debate, an interactive format designed to encourage transparency and foster direct engagement between candidates and the African people.
Each candidate will have the opportunity to present their vision and elaborate on their policy proposals, in an event that is expected to be broadcasted live across the continent.
“The Information and Communication Directorate (ICD) of the AU as part of the organizing committee of the Mjadala Afrika debate, has made arrangements for all the public broadcasters of the 55 AU member states to carry the live broadcast from 16:00 to 18:00 GMT,” the Commission said.
It added that the debate will also be available on the AU’s website in all six languages. The Union’s YouTube, Facebook and X channels will carry the debate in the floor language but a link back to the website will be available for those who wish to listen in any one of the six official languages. A number of private broadcasters will also beam the debate live.
“On behalf of the AU Commission, the ICD is encouraging public participation through watching on the various channels and sending questions during the debate, some of which will be put to the candidates, using the X platform @_AfricanUnion, ensuring that the debate addresses the concerns and aspirations of the African populace.
“Social media campaigns have also been launched to amplify the conversation and raise awareness of the event,” AU said in the statement.
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