Seen as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s main challenge in the battle for the African Union Commission chairperson seat, Djbout’s Mahmoud Yousouff is missing on aggressive campaigns.
While Raila has intensified continental campaigns and meetings with heads of state and government in the African Capital, Mahmoud’s strategy
to beat Raila has come under sharp criticism.
Raila is sprinting in the last month of the campaigns, scouring for votes across the continent and leaving no capital to enhance his chances of making history.
Following Raila’s latest forays into Southern Africa’s
nations, Raila’s secretariat appears to have fewer than 10
endorsements to call the elections.
However, analysts say the elections have huge stakes with
Raila and Yousouff the only frontrunners ahead of the February polls.
Youssouff who had in September last year received
support from the Arab League of about 27 states has maintained low-key
campaign schedules marked with occasional hiatus.
His campaign strategy appears to include meeting heads of state on the sidelines of key events in African capitals as opposed to physical travels across the content.
Raila’s campaigns have lifted the lid on the government’s massive investments in airlifting him across the African capitals and the huge resources at the campaign secretariat’s disposal.
On Thursday, Raila met his long-term friend and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa as he continued his diplomatic charm offensive to consolidate support ahead of the high-stakes polls.
“We have discussed my vision for the continent, and I got an opportunity to outline my plan for the African Union Commission (AUC) anchored on 10 priority areas,’’ Raila posted on his X account after the meeting.
As part of his campaigns in the Southern Africa Development Community bloc, Raila also visited the capitals of Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
The process of electing Moussa Faki’s successor will be held end of February in the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa with heads of state expected to cast votes in person.
The election guidelines require that Heads of State and government will be the ones to elect the AUC chairperson during the Extra-Ordinary Summit whose actual date is yet to be declared.
After a long lull, Youssouf visited Rabat on Tuesday to lobby for Morocco's support in the upcoming February elections.
He has also opted to campaign on his social media accounts, outlining his vision for the content ahead of the AUC poll.
Youssouf, who delivered a special message from Djiboutian President Ismail Guelleh, met Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to strengthen ties and seek backing for his candidacy.
In a statement following their meeting, Youssouf emphasised the strong ties between Djibouti and Morocco, describing their relationship as rooted in "mutual respect and pan-Arab and Islamic brotherhood."
He added that under "wise leadership," their nations continue to prioritise "good governance and development for the well-being and prosperity of their peoples."
Reports suggest that Raila may also visit Rabat to lobby for Moroccan support.
