Kenya’s recent loss in the AUC chairmanship election to Djibouti has prompted MP Sam Atandi to call for a reduction in financial contributions to the AU. Other Kenyan leaders express concerns over systemic flaws in the AU’s leadership selection process, suggesting possible restructuring and reassessment of regional participation in the organization.
In a recent statement, Sam Atandi, MP for Alego Usonga, urged the Kenyan government to reassess its financial obligations to the African Union (AU) following Kenya’s recent defeat in the chairmanship election to Djibouti. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti won the position with 33 votes, achieving the necessary two-thirds majority. Kenya’s candidate, Raila Odinga, started strong but was eliminated during the sixth voting round, marking Kenya’s second consecutive unsuccessful attempt at the AUC chairmanship.
This election outcome has ignited varied responses among Kenyan politicians. Atandi has suggested that Kenya should promptly limit its financial contributions to the AU, with the possibility of ultimately exiting the 55-member organization. He stated, “In the short run, Kenya must now limit its financial commitments to the AU, and in the long run, exit.”
Senator Ledama Ole Kina from Narok County proposed a fundamental restructuring of the AU, criticizing its leadership selection process. He posed a provocative question regarding the organization’s future: “Why not divide the African Union into two? Why not?” This comment reflects concerns about systemic issues within the AU.
Representing Homa Bay, MP Peter Kaluma criticized the election methodology, suggesting that regional affiliations and colonial legacies overshadow candidate quality and leadership abilities among African heads of state. Kaluma argued, “African Heads of State care more about regional blocs and colonial history than about vision, knowledge, experience, and capacity to move Africa forward.”
Kaluma also highlighted the disproportionate representation of Northern Africa in AU leadership roles, stating that their dominance does not necessarily stem from superior candidates but rather from cultural and regional interests. He urged marginalized regions to reconsider their involvement in AU proceedings, implying that a reevaluation of these roles could enhance representation and governance within the organization. “It’s time for the excluded regions to reassess their role in the AU,” he concluded.
The recent election outcome for the African Union Commission chairmanship has prompted significant political discourse in Kenya. Leaders like Sam Atandi advocate for reducing Kenya’s financial contributions to the AU and even considering a potential exit, highlighting dissatisfaction with the AU’s decision-making processes. Policymakers are calling for significant reforms to address perceived inequities in leadership selections that favor certain regional interests over merit-based selections, indicating a need for broader changes within the AU framework.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
