Africa deserved better than Raila Odinga

On Saturday, Djibouti’s Mahamoud Youssouf emerged victorious in AUC chairmanship elections, securing 33 votes in the seventh round.
However, Kenya’s Ruto claims that the continent lost a valuable opportunity by not electing Raila Odinga.
For Djibouti, Africa deserved better than Raila.

The rivalry between Kenya and Djibouti that was marked by campaigns leading up to the election of the African Union Commission Chairman (AUC) post appears far from over. In the latest twist, authorities in Djibouti have hit back at President William Ruto who on Sunday expressed disappointment over the failure of leaders of Africa to vote Kenya’s candidate Raila Odinga.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Amb . Moussa Mohamed Omar of Djibouti stated, “In response to President Ruto on Citizen TV Kenya: claiming Africa “lost an opportunity” is dishonest. 33 heads of state chose Mahmoud, the right choice for Africa’s challenges, refusing to let the AU be hostage to Kenyan domestic politics. Africa deserved better than Raila.”

Ambassador Moussa Mohamed Omar is the Director of Communication, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti according to his X profile.

On Sunday, President William Ruto posted on X claiming that the continent lost a valuable opportunity by not electing Raila Odinga. Mr. Odinga is a former Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition coalition Azimio.

“I am disappointed that Raila Amolo Odinga did not win the AUC Chair elections because he was the best candidate,” noted President Ruto.

President Ruto: Africa missed an opportunity

Like a significant number of leaders in Kenya, Dr. Ruto noted that Mr. Odinga’s experience and vision would have advanced Africa’s interests on the global stage. “I regret that Africa missed an opportunity to be served by one of the finest leaders on our continent,” he added.

“Raila Odinga was the best candidate that we could put forward. He was available. Whenever I booked an appointment, he was there. Whenever he had to travel, he was there. Whether early morning or late evening, he was present and he was there all the way,” he remarked.

He insists that Raila, more than most candidates he has encountered in the political arena, demonstrated a resilience that commands admiration.

“As a politician I have supported many candidates. On this African Union chairmanship, Tinga, Baba, Raila Odinga exceeded all expectations. He drove the campaign like it should have happened and I am very proud of him,” Dr. Ruto stated.

Across the country, however, opinion remains divided with a siginificant number of Kenya’s expressing their support for the new AUC chairman Mahmoud Youssouf. For instance, @Joseph_Kalimbwe said, “This is why Kenyans support Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti. Sellouts and traitors must never succeed.” In yet another tweet, @Abdi_Guled said, “Congratulations to Mahamoud Ali Yusuf on his election as AUC chairperson! A seasoned diplomat taking on a crucial role at a crucial time for Africa.”

At the moment, claims and counterclaims continue to inform the public discourse in Kenya as opinion leaders debate on why Raila Odinga lost to Mahmoud Youssouf of Djibouti.

Addressing the media in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, shortly after he lost to Djibouti’s candidate Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Raila Odinga congratulated his opponent for the win.

“I had offered myself as a candidate, over the last few months I have run around the continent talking to different leaders of the continent canvassing for their vote and today they have expressed themselves. As it stands now, we did not succeed,” he said.

“We say that we must strengthen democracy in the African continent and I’m therefore conceding defeat, and I want us to use this as an example of strengthening democracy in our continent.”

Odinga added: “I want to wish my competitor Ali Youssouf all the best and success in his undertaking and also want to thank all those who voted for me and those who didn’t because of exercising their democracy.”

How Mahamoud Youssouf beat Raila Odinga

Mahamoud Youssouf emerged victorious in Saturday’s AUC chairmanship elections, securing 33 votes in the seventh round—meeting the required two-thirds threshold. He is set to replace Chad’s Moussa Faki, who has held the position for eight years.

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga led the first two rounds but lost momentum in subsequent rounds, eventually conceding defeat to Youssouf.

In the opening round, Raila garnered 20 votes, edging out Youssouf, who secured 18, while Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato received 10 votes. One nation abstained. Raila extended his lead in the second round with 22 votes, followed by Youssouf at 19 and Randriamandrato at 7, with one abstention.

However, the tide shifted in the third round. Youssouf surged ahead with 23 votes, while Raila slipped to 20. Randriamandrato, who managed only 5 votes, was eliminated from the race.

With only two candidates remaining, Youssouf tightened his grip on the lead. In the fourth round, he secured 25 votes against Raila’s 21, with one spoilt vote and one abstention. The fifth round saw Youssouf increase his tally to 26, while Raila remained at 21, with one nation abstaining.

Youssouf maintained his lead in the sixth round, repeating his 26-vote count against Raila’s 22, with another abstention. This result eliminated Raila from the contest, leaving Youssouf as the sole candidate in the decisive seventh round, where he clinched the two-thirds majority to claim the AUC chairmanship.

His victory marks a new chapter for the African Union Commission, setting the stage for his leadership in shaping the continent’s agenda.