Friday March 1, 2024
Antalya (HOL) – Somalia has launched a significant lobbying campaign endorsing its former foreign minister for the position of Chairperson of the next African Union Commission (AUC).
Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan, who declared her candidacy on Thursday, will directly challenge Kenya's long-serving opposition leader, Raila Odinga, who is also vying for the continental role.
"I am honoured to be Somalia's candidate for the African Union presidency. I would like to express my gratitude to President Hassan Mohamud and the Federal Government of Somalia for their full support and encouragement," she stated on February 27th.
Adan previously served as Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister from November 2012 to January 2014, making her the first woman from Somalia to be nominated for this prestigious position.
Somalia, a founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, has historically not held prominent positions within the AU, making Adan's candidacy a significant milestone for the country.
Emerging from a three-decade hiatus in the diplomatic arena, Somalia ran for the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) presidential election last year. This year, Somalia is also contending for one of the non-permanent seats of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2025-2026.
Besides, Somalia is in the running for the AUC chairperson election scheduled for February 2025. In the upcoming election, a candidate must secure two-thirds of the votes to clinch the position of Chairperson.
A Somali government delegation led by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is attending the third edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Antalya, Turkey. Sources indicate that President Mohamud is lobbying for his country's candidacy for the UNSC and AUC positions, as well as for defense and economic cooperation agreements with the Turkish government.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) will convene representatives from 147 countries worldwide. Themed "Elevating Diplomacy Amidst Crises," the forum will address various topics, including global issues, climate change, migration, Islamophobia, trade wars, and artificial intelligence.