Monday March 25, 2024
FILE PHOTO - Fawzia Yusuf Adam
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia formed an eight-member committee on Saturday to prepare for the African Union Commission (AUC) election campaign. The committee, led by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, will support Fawzia Yusuf Adam's candidacy. It includes high-ranking officials such as Daud Aweis, Bihi Egeh, Abdirisak Omar Mohamed, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Ali Omar, and Abdullahi Ahmed Jama. Jama and Alasow will serve as special envoys focusing on international relations and support for the election campaign.
"The two envoys are in charge of the relationship between the governments of the need for support while carrying out the duties assigned to the Election Campaign Committee for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission," the PM said in a statement.
The committee's primary goal is to garner support from other African nations for Somalia's nominee. In February, Somalia nominated Fawzia Yusuf Adam, a pioneer in Somali politics and the nation's first female Foreign Minister, to contend against Kenya's Raila Odinga for the AUC Chairperson role. Adam, known for her significant contributions, presented a detailed seven-point agenda to enhance Africa's global stance and address critical issues like climate change, peace, and security.
Her opponent, Raila Odinga, a veteran of Kenyan politics with over forty years of experience, has secured support from leaders across East Africa. Seven African Presidents reportedly back his candidacy.
According to the rotation system established in 2018, the Eastern Africa region is slated to nominate the next AUC Chairperson in February 2025.