Somalia: Forming a committee to support the candidacy of MP Fawzia Yusuf Haji for the presidency of the African Union

Somalia: Forming a committee to support the candidacy of MP Fawzia Yusuf Haji for the presidency of the African Union

 The Somali government announced the formation of an eight-member committee to prepare the electoral campaign for Somali MP candidate Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam for the position of chair of the African Union Commission. The committee headed by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre will support the nomination of Fawzia Yusuf Adam. It includes high-ranking officials.

The committee's primary goal is to mobilize support from African countries for the Somali candidate. On January 14, 2024, Somalia nominated Fawzia Yusuf, a leader in Somali politics and the country’s first female foreign minister, to compete with Kenyan Raila Odinga for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

Fawzia Adam presented a detailed seven-point agenda to strengthen Africa's global position and address critical issues such as climate change, peace and security. Her rival, Raila Odinga, a veteran Kenyan politician with more than forty years of experience, has received support from leaders across East Africa. Seven African presidents reportedly support his candidacy. According to a rotation system established in 2018, the East African region is scheduled to nominate the next Chair of the African Union Commission in February 2025.