African Union Chairperson Candidates Advocate for Permanent UN Security Council Representation

Three African politicians are vying for the position of African Union chairperson. They presented their plans on regional security and inter-African trade during a debate in Addis Ababa. Raila Odinga from Kenya, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, and Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar are the candidates. They aim to succeed Moussa Faki, who has completed two terms.

The candidates emphasised the need for Africa to have two permanent seats with veto power in the UN Security Council. Odinga argued that this is essential due to Africa's large number of countries. Randriamandrato urged African nations to unite and choose representatives for these seats wisely. The election is set for February.

Regional Security Concerns

Regional security was a major topic in the debate, given recent conflicts and political coups in Africa. Youssouf suggested increasing resources for a regional standby force to reduce dependence on foreign aid. "When there is no unity of purpose among neighbouring countries peace will be compromised," he stated.

Randriamandrato advised African countries to manage their internal security independently. He warned against foreign military bases, suggesting they could lead to conflicts. The African Union has expelled five member states due to political instability, highlighting the importance of security.

Boosting Inter-African Trade

Despite Africa's young population of 1.3 billion, regional trade faces hurdles. Odinga highlighted Africa's vast domestic market, which could drive economic growth through increased trade among African nations. Youssouf proposed a compensation system for currency differences, asking, "Are we going to have a single currency, why not?"

Randriamandrato pointed out the role of regional economic blocs like the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa in facilitating trade within Africa. These blocs can help overcome trade barriers and promote economic integration across the continent.

Proposed Reforms in the African Union

The candidates also discussed reforms within the African Union aimed at enhancing its effectiveness. Youssouf noted that funding issues are hindering key reforms and stressed the need for change. He promised not to impose reforms but would "advocate for it" if elected.

All three candidates are working to gain support from African countries before the upcoming election. Their focus on security, trade, and reforms reflects the challenges and opportunities facing the African Union today. The election outcome will shape the future direction of the organisation as it addresses these critical issues.