In a major political shake-up, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has thrown its weight behind Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato for AU Commission Chair, dealing a blow to Kenya’s Raila Odinga.
In a last-minute diplomatic move, SADC urged its 16 member states to back Randriamandrato, bypassing an Extraordinary Council of Ministers to fast-track support.
“This letter, therefore, serves to encourage SADC Member States to support Mr. Richard J. Randriamandrato, a candidate from our region, for the position of the AUC Chairperson during the upcoming elections of Senior Leadership of the African Union Commission,” SADC says in a letter dated 12th February 2025.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi copied the letter to all SADC member states who include; Angola, Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and Seychelles.
Other member states are; Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, South Africa, United Republic Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
This unexpected twist adds a new layer of intrigue to the high-stakes election, where Odinga faces off against Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
Meanwhile, six nations remain sidelined due to suspensions over coups, while key backers of Odinga—including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Algeria—set the stage for a fierce continental showdown.
For a candidate to clinch the position, he or she needs to attain 2/3 of the votes casted.
Some of the countries that have indicated they are supporting Raila’s AUC bid include Togo, Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Equitorial Guinea, the DRC, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Sychelles, Mauritius, Rwanda, Burundi, Algeria, South Sudan and Eritrea.
SADC’s letter is merely a request, leaving member states free to vote as they choose. How they ultimately cast their ballots on Saturday, February 15, remains uncertain.
Will SADC’s influence shift the balance, or will Raila Odinga defy the odds?
