Three contenders for the African Union (AU) leadership—Raila Odinga of Kenya, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar—delivered compelling arguments on strengthening regional security and boosting inter-African trade during a two-hour debate on Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Regional Security: A Shared Priority
Amid growing regional instability and political upheavals, the candidates emphasized bold strategies to address Africa’s security challenges. Youssouf advocated for enhancing resources allocated to the AU’s standby force to decrease reliance on foreign aid. He warned, “When neighbouring countries lack a unified purpose, peace is at risk.”
Randriamandrato echoed this sentiment, urging African nations to prioritize internal security measures while discouraging dependence on foreign military bases. He argued, “Foreign military bases should be considered outdated, as they may lead to further conflict.” 
Odinga proposed rallying for two permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council (UNSC), complete with veto power, to amplify Africa’s voice in global decision-making. He described this as an essential step toward fairness, emphasizing, “Securing two permanent seats with veto power is critical for Africa, given its more than 50 nations.”
Inter-African Trade: Unlocking Africa’s Market Potential
Beyond security, the candidates spotlighted economic challenges, particularly the hurdles to inter-African trade. Odinga called for harnessing Africa’s vast domestic market for economic transformation, stressing the need to create more trade opportunities within the continent.
Youssouf proposed a payment compensation system to mitigate financial losses arising from currency exchange during trade, asking, “Why not consider a single currency?” Randriamandrato, meanwhile, highlighted the role of regional economic blocs like the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa in simplifying cross-border trade.
African Union Reforms: A Unified Vision
Each candidate pledged to drive meaningful reforms to enhance the AU’s effectiveness. The union’s structure and funding were recurring topics, with Youssouf underlining the need for better financial strategies. “This situation must change,” he remarked, committing to advocate for sustainable solutions while respecting member states’ autonomy.
Randriamandrato urged member states to unify their approach to representing Africa in global platforms like the UNSC, showcasing the potential of collective strength.
A Leadership Race to Watch
As the February election approaches, the race to succeed Moussa Faki, who has served two terms as AU Chairperson, is heating up. With challenges such as ongoing conflicts and coups forcing the expulsion of five nations from the AU, the candidates’ proposals reflect a shared determination to tackle Africa’s pressing issues.
Their vision encompasses not only immediate security and trade concerns but also a broader ambition to secure Africa’s place in global governance and economic transformation.
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