Kenyans and African citizens alike are set for an unprecedented opportunity to witness the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship debate, known as Mjadala Afrika, featuring prominent candidate Raila Odinga. This landmark event promises to be a pivotal moment in continental leadership selection.
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. #Raila4Africa#MjadalaAfrika pic.twitter.com/D3Q3j5BbOR
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) December 12, 2024
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Debate Details and Broadcast Information
Scheduled for Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the debate will be a comprehensive platform for candidates to articulate their visions for Africa’s future. As the AUC emphasized,
“The debate concentrates on policy issues and a solutions-oriented attention on how each candidate intends to advance the realisation of the Aspirations and Goals of Agenda 2063, other AU projects with continental focus, and Common African Positions.”
Broadcast Accessibility
- Live on public broadcasters of all 55 AU member states
- Channels include Citizen TV for Kenyans
- Multilingual broadcast (six languages, including Swahili)
- Available on the AU’s official website
- Interactive platform on X (@_AfricanUnion) for public participation
𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐬. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞.
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) December 12, 2024
Insightful, engaging and informative.
𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐉𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐀 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐊𝐀 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 from the African Union Headquarters.
📅13 December 2024.
⌚️19:00-21:00… pic.twitter.com/heP0m7IxaE
The Candidates and Competition
Raila Odinga will face two formidable opponents:
- Mahmoud Ali – Djibouti’s Current Foreign Affairs Minister (considered the toughest competitor)
- Richard Randriamandrato – Madagascar’s Former Foreign Affairs Minister
Odinga’s Strategic Preparation
The former Kenyan Prime Minister arrived in Addis Ababa on Wednesday for debate rehearsals, bringing a comprehensive ten-point manifesto that encompasses:
- Economic Transformation
- Infrastructure Development
- Financial Independence
- Gender Equity and Equality
- Agricultural Transformation
- Climate Action
- Youth Empowerment
- Digital Transformation and AI
- Continental Integration
- Peace and Security
Debate Format and Expectations
The structured debate will include:
- 15-minute opening remarks for each candidate
- Moderated question-and-answer session
- Reactions from continental members (both online and in-person)
- Bilingual moderation (English and French)
Significance of the Debate
This event is more than just a selection process—it’s a critical moment in shaping Africa’s leadership and future direction. The debate aims to succeed Moussa Faki, whose term concludes in February 2025, and will potentially chart a new course for continental cooperation and development.
Public Engagement
The AUC is actively encouraging public participation, ensuring that the debate reflects the broader African population’s concerns and aspirations. Citizens are invited to engage through various platforms, making this a truly democratic and inclusive process.
