Wednesday August 7, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia's former Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam has withdrawn her candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson election amid submissions from four other governments for the position.
Sources confirmed that Lawmaker Adam is not among the four candidates registered for the election. August 6 was the deadline for candidates to submit their applications.
In June, Adam revealed that federal government leaders and leaders of four federal member states pressured her to withdraw her candidacy at the request of Djibouti's President, Ismail Omar Guelleh.
During a press conference in Mogadishu, she said, "The government and four federal member state leaders have told me to give up my candidacy. I tried to convince them of the importance of the seat, but it was impossible. They agreed that I should give up the seat to Djibouti, who is also a candidate."
Adam added that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud excluded her bid for the AU seat in 2016 during his term because Kenya was also contesting for that position. "I have been denied the AU chairmanship twice. I do not know if it is because I am a woman or for other hidden reasons," she remarked.Somali national leaders supported Adam after she announced her candidacy in February 2024 to increase Somalia's influence within the AU. In March, the government began lobbying efforts and formed a special committee to support her campaign, underscoring the importance of securing this influential position.
Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has now received another boost in the race for the African Union Commission, as Somalia and Seychelles have withdrawn their candidates. According to reports, the four candidates registered for the election include Raila Odinga from Kenya, Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamud Ali Yusuf, a candidate from Mauritius, and a candidate from Madagascar.
The election will take place in February next year.