Kenyans have been given the opportunity to engage in the highly anticipated Mjadala Afrika debate for the African Union Commission chairmanship, featuring former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Scheduled for Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the debate will allow candidates to present their visions and priorities for advancing the African Union’s 2063 Agenda.
The debate will focus on policy issues, offering a platform for candidates to discuss their plans for achieving the Aspirations and Goals of Agenda 2063, as well as other key AU projects and continental issues.
The African Union Commission (AUC) has emphasized that the discussion will be solutions-oriented, encouraging public participation to ensure that the concerns and aspirations of Africans are addressed.
The debate will be aired live across the continent and will include a session for African citizens to ask questions.
Both online participants and those attending in person will have the opportunity to engage with the candidates.
Public participation is encouraged through member states watching the debate on various channels and submitting questions via the X platform (@_AfricanUnion).
The debate will be moderated by two individuals, one speaking English and the other French.
It will be broadcast by public broadcasters from all 55 AU member states, with Kenyans able to watch it on Citizen TV.
The broadcast will be available in six languages, including Swahili, and will also be streamed on the AU’s website.
Raila Odinga, who arrived in Addis Ababa on Wednesday for debate rehearsals, was welcomed by Deputy Head of Mission Petronilla Were.
He has prepared a ten-point manifesto focused on areas such as Economic Transformation, Infrastructure Development, Financial Independence, Gender Equity, Agricultural Transformation, Climate Action, Youth Potential, Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, and Continental Integration, Peace, and Security.
Raila will face competition from Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Ali, who is considered his strongest rival, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato.
Former Mauritius Foreign Affairs Minister Anil Kumarsingh Gayan withdrew from the race earlier this month.
Candidates will have 15 minutes for their opening remarks, followed by a Q&A session moderated by the debate panel.
The debate is expected to influence the race for the successor of Moussa Faki, the current AU Commission chair, whose term ends in February 2025.
