African Union leadership candidates present bold strategies for regional security and trade

Three prominent African politicians vying for the chairpersonship of the African Union (AU) laid out their visions for addressing critical challenges, including regional security, political stability, and inter-African trade, during a high-stakes debate on Friday.

The candidates, Raila Odinga from Kenya, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, and Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar, engaged in a two-hour discussion in Addis Ababa, emphasizing the need for unified leadership and proposing reforms to strengthen the 55-member bloc. The debate comes ahead of the February election to replace current Chairperson Moussa Faki, who has completed two terms.

A major point of consensus among the candidates was the push for Africa to secure two permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council (UNSC). They argued that this would provide equitable representation for a continent that is home to over 50 nations and the world’s youngest demographic.

Odinga called the lack of African representation “a matter of fairness,” stressing that the proposed seats should include veto power to ensure Africa’s voice is heard on global issues. Randriamandrato urged member states to form a united front in selecting Africa’s representatives, adding that cohesion was key to achieving this goal.

Regional security dominated much of the discussion, with the AU’s recent history of internal conflicts and political upheavals—including coups that led to the suspension of five member states—taking center stage.

Youssouf advocated for bolstering the African Standby Force to reduce reliance on foreign interventions, stating, “When neighbouring countries lack a unified purpose, peace is at risk.” He proposed increasing funding and resources for this initiative as a pathway to greater self-reliance.

Randriamandrato took a firm stance against the continued presence of foreign military bases in Africa, warning that they could exacerbate conflicts. He urged nations to focus on strengthening their internal security mechanisms.

With Africa’s population of 1.3 billion projected to double by 2050, the candidates highlighted the continent’s immense economic potential. However, they acknowledged that significant hurdles remain in boosting inter-African trade.

Odinga emphasized the need to harness Africa’s domestic market for economic transformation. “We have the resources and the market,” he said. “What we need is the political will to create trade opportunities among ourselves.”

Youssouf proposed a payment compensation system to mitigate losses incurred from trading in multiple currencies and suggested exploring the possibility of adopting a single African currency to streamline transactions.

Randriamandrato underscored the role of regional economic blocs, such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, in facilitating trade. He called for greater cooperation between these blocs to unlock the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The candidates also pledged to implement key reforms within the AU’s structure and leadership to make it more effective. Youssouf acknowledged that funding challenges have stalled critical reforms, stating, “This situation must change.” He emphasized his commitment to advocating for solutions in collaboration with member states rather than imposing top-down directives.

As the February election approaches, the three candidates will continue their campaigns to secure the support of AU member states. Their performance in the debate underscores the urgent need for strong leadership to tackle the continent’s pressing challenges and to realize its vast potential.