ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Kenya has poured cold water on the move by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to lobby support for the Madagascan candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, Richard J. Randriamandrato.
Speaking to Citizen TV from the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, scoffed off the idea, insisting that Kenya had done its best in promoting its candidature for the AU top seat, Raila Odinga.
“First, it is important to mention that this is the turn of a member of the Eastern region to be elected to chair the AU Commission. Madagascar is in a unique place because it straddles both the Eastern region and the Southern region,” said Sing’oei.
From a technical standpoint, the PS said he thinks Madagascar should not be on the ballot concerning the southern region.
“This is because if it were the turn of the Southern region, they could still contest. It gives them an unfavourable advantage. But beyond that, if you looked technically at the letter, it is written by the secretary general of SADC, who is a bureaucrat,” explained Sing’oei.
Why Korir Sing’oei poured cold water on the SADC letter
Sing’oei read mischief in the letter dated February 12, 2025, nearly five days before the election.
“The letter is addressed to foreign ministers, and it appears to be introducing the candidate as if nobody even within SADC knows him. It then goes ahead to state that as a bloc, the members don’t have time to hold a ministerial summit to endorse the decision at hand, which means that even that decision will not be endorsed at the heads of state level,” Sing’oei said.
UPDATE: The 16-member SADC bloc has urged its members in a last-minute diplomatic push to back Madagascar’s candidate for the AUC top seat, highlighting regional unity. Still, each member retains the right to vote based on national interest.
According to the PS, the letter does not in any way endorse the Madagascan candidate.
“In the end, the letter merely asks out of courtesy the region, as it is expected to support their candidate. In our minds, we think that this letter is sought of an afterthought; we think that it is a mere courtesy to show a bit of the minimalist solidarity extended to a member of their region,” he added.
Why Kenya is not taking any chances ahead of the AUC polls
The PS said in the minds of the Kenyan government, they do not think that the letter will have any bearing.
“But we are not taking chances, and that is why I did mention that in light of that letter because we already have some quiet assurances from several SADC countries of their support, we are reaching out again to SADC countries to understand what motivations behind this letter could be,” said Sing’oei.
In a last-minute diplomatic push, the 16-member SADC called on its members to rally behind Randriamandrato for the position of Chairperson of the AUC, emphasising regional unity.
Safari ya Addis: Uchaguzi wa mwenyekiti kufanyika kesho Wagombea watatu wanamezea mate uenyekiti wa AUC Rais William Ruto tayari yuko Addis Ababa #SemaNaCitizen @LuluHassan
Randriamandrato, a former Malagasy Minister of Foreign Affairs, remains the sole contender from the SADC bloc following Mauritius’ withdrawal.
The SADC Executive Secretary underscored the strategic importance of securing the role of the region, urging member states to align their support accordingly.
Meanwhile, ahead of the First Round of the elections slated for Saturday, February 15, 2025, Sing’oei failed to disclose the number of votes (in terms of pledging and surety) that Kenya has, saying the elections are a way of secret ballot.
