AUC draft rule that could lock Raila Odinga out of AU top job.
AU draft rule that could lock Raila Odinga out of AU top job: Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship position could come to a stand still if proposed rules aimed at reforming the election process are adopted.
The changes are part of a draft aimed at switching up the criteria used to fill the top positions at the continental body.
The AU Permanent Representative Committee Proposed several changes that objectified to bar member states that have held the chairmanship and the deputy positions from 2002 from contesting in the upcoming election.
If the heads of state from the 44 countries adopt the proposal, the changes will bar Raila from vying for the AU chairmanship, as Kenya and Rwanda have previously held the deputy positions.
According to a decision effected in 2018, the position is rotational and based on the rules, the next chairman should be from the Eastern Africa region.
This means, Tanzania among other Eastern African states will be the only countries viable to submit a candidate for the bid.
The proposed changes threatening the Azimio leader’s bid will become law if voted for by the heads of state.
However, Decision-making at the AU is which done through consensus, gives hope to Raila, as a single vote against the proposed reforms could prevent the changes from being adopted.
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