Somalia has officially launched a campaign to have its former foreign minister, Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Aden, as the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairman, who will compete with Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga.
Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan has become the first female Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, working alongside President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
“I have a deep love and a strong desire to contribute to the development of Africa,” she told The Nation newspaper.
“As I run for the presidency of the African Union, I aim to strengthen the relationship between African countries and work towards a united continent.” she added in her speech.
Daoud Aweis, the Minister of Information of the Government of Somalia, has previously indicated that the Government will support Fawsiyo Yusuf Haji Aden’s candidate.
“After important diplomatic achievements such as the lifting of the arms embargo, debt forgiveness, and joining the EAC, Somalia is now well positioned to play a major role in the world,” said Aweis.
According to the circular rules made in 2018, countries located in the East of the African continent will compete for the chair of the African Union Commission.
But the electoral rules, which allow a large number of candidates to come from East Africa, will lead to a tough competition in the AUC elections next year.
