Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's pursuit of the African Union Commission Chairperson position faces new challenges following a decision by the Executive Council Ministerial meeting. The meeting's outcome has introduced gender requirements, adding complexity to the race to succeed Moussa Faki.
In the meeting's conclusion, the council assigned the Eastern wing of the union the authority to appoint the chairperson. Subsequently, the Northern region will nominate the deputy chairperson, while candidates for the remaining six commissioner positions will come from the Western, Central, and Southern regions.
However, the council stipulated that the chairperson and deputy chairperson must represent different genders. This directive means that if the elected chairperson is male, the deputy chairperson must be female, and vice versa.
"The Eastern region shall submit candidates for the position of the chairperson. The Northern region shall submit candidates for the position of the deputy chairperson," the council directed. "Both regions can submit male and female candidates. The gender of the elected Chairperson will determine the gender of the Deputy Chairperson to be elected."
The ministerial meeting, convened in mid-March ahead of the February 2025 elections, aimed to deliberate on the election of senior leadership. Discussions focused on modalities for regional rotation and gender parity to ensure equitable distribution of leadership roles.
Raila Odinga, expressing interest in the chairperson seat, launched a campaign for votes. Despite receiving endorsements from international leaders like former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and political rival President William Ruto, Raila's bid faces increased complexity due to the new gender requirements.
To qualify for the position, Raila must meet several requirements, including holding a Master's Degree in fields such as Law, International Relations, Economics, or Political Science. Fluency in at least one AU language and proof of transformational leadership are also prerequisites.
President Ruto formed a committee in mid-February to bolster Raila's candidacy, even seeking support from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The committee's financing is sourced from the exchequer.
As Raila navigates these new challenges, the race for the African Union Commission Chairperson position intensifies, with gender parity becoming a pivotal factor in the selection process.
