Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has downplayed concerns over a letter from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariat, endorsing Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship role.
Speaking in Addis Ababa on Friday, February 14, Sing’oei dismissed the letter’s significance but reiterated that Kenya is leaving nothing to chance in its bid, with Raila Odinga’s campaign team set to engage SADC member states again.
“The letter is addressed to foreign ministers and suggests that even within SADC, not everyone was consulted. It further states that there was no time to convene a ministerial summit to formally endorse the decision, yet it still asks, as is expected, for regional support for Madagascar’s candidate,” he said.
He described the letter as an ‘afterthought’ and a minimal show of solidarity rather than a decisive endorsement.
“To our minds, this is a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive backing. That said, we are not taking any chances. We have already secured assurances from several SADC countries, and we will continue engaging others to understand the motivations behind this move,” he added.
Sing’oei also questioned Madagascar’s candidacy, arguing that it is more geographically aligned with Southern Africa than Eastern Africa.
“First, it’s important to mention that it is the turn of a member of the Eastern region to be elected to chair the AU Commission. Madagascar is a unique place because it borders both the Eastern and Southern region. So from my standpoint, I think really Madagascar should not be on the ballot with regard to the Eastern Region, because if this were Southern Africa’s turn, it could still field a candidate. That gives Madagascar an unfair advantage,” he said.
Yesterday, SADC wrote to all 16 member states seeking support for Madagascar’s bid to succeed AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki.
The race features three candidates: Kenya’s Raila Odinga, Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato, and Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
Odinga is the only candidate from East Africa, while Madagascar emerged as SADC’s sole nominee after Mauritius withdrew.
SADC’s decision follows an August 2024 council meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, where member states were urged to support regional candidates for senior AU leadership positions.
SADC comprises 16 countries namely; Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
