I concede, Raila says after losing bid to become next AUC chairman

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has conceded defeat after losing to Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf in the race to become the next African Union Commission chairman in elections conducted in Addis Ababa Ethiopia yesterday.

Raila was forced to pull out of the race in the sixth round after garnering 21 votes to Mahamoud’s 26. A candidate was required to clinch a two thirds majority of 33 votes to emerge the winner, which the Djiboutian managed to get in the critical seventh round averting the suspension of the exercise to next year.

Addressing the press in Addis Ababa, Raila said: “I had offered myself as a candidate, over the last few months I have run around the continent talking to different leaders of the continent canvassing for their vote and today they have expressed themselves. As it stands now, we did not succeed,” he said.

The Opposition supremo emphasised the need to strengthen democracy in the African continent thus his decision to concede defeat.

“I want us to use this as an example of strengthening democracy in our continent.”

He added: “I want to wish my competitor Ali Youssouf all the best and success in his undertaking and also want to thank all those who voted for me and those who didn’t because of exercising their democracy.”

On his part, President William Ruto said that the election was not about individuals or nations buts about Africa’s future.

“That future remains bright and, together, we will continue working for a united, prosperous, and influential Africa on the global stage,” he said.

“While the outcome of this election did not favour Kenya’s candidate, I wish to convey my deepest gratitude to the entire leadership of our great continent. Thank you for considering the Right Honourable Raila Odinga’s vision and priorities for the African Union and for giving him the opportunity to share his passion for the continent’s transformation,” he said.

He congratulated Mahamoud and Algerian ambassador to Ethiopia Selma Haddadi, who was elected as deputy chairperson.

“I extend my sincere congratulations. You have the trust of the AU Assembly, and Kenya pledges her full support to you as you steer the Africa Union Commission to the next level,” Ruto said.

Mahamoud is set to replace the outgoing chairperson Moussa Faki of Chad who held the position for two terms (eight years).

Raila had led in the first and second rounds but lost momentum in the subsequent rounds as a split within the East African Community and a rift with the Southern Africa Development Community over the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as unity among Francophone countries played out.