Somalia and Kenya vie for African Union leadership in upcoming 2025 Elections

Somalia and Kenya are poised for a significant showdown in the upcoming African Union Council Committee elections, which are slated for February 2025. In these elections, they will compete for the organization’s top learship positions.

The nations are competing for top leadership positions, with Somalia’s Fawsiya Yusuf Haji Aden and Kenya’s Raila Odinga representing their respective countries. This competition underscores the growing influence and stakes within the African Union.

The leadership contest was a primary focus at the 22nd meeting of the Executive Council of the African Union, hosted at the headquarters in Addis Ababa. Notable attendees included Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa, the Federal Government of Somalia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, reflecting the high-level engagement and interest in the election outcomes.

During the meeting, Mohamed Salem Ould, Mauritania’s Foreign Affairs Minister and Chair of the African Union Executive Committee, detailed the preparations for the forthcoming election. His comprehensive report shed light on the procedural aspects and the significance of selecting the Union’s next top officials.

In a pivotal address, Ambassador Warfa articulated the Somali government’s aspirations and commitment to the African Union’s leadership and goals. His speech highlighted Somalia’s readiness to participate actively in the Union’s initiatives, signalling a proactive stance in regional politics.

The upcoming elections, pivotal for setting the African Union’s direction for the next four years, underscore the strategic importance of the leadership roles. With Somalia and Kenya at the forefront, the electoral outcome is expected to significantly influence the African Union’s future initiatives and priorities.