Mogadishu (Halbeeg News) – Somalia’s candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson’s election Fawzia Yusuf Adam has announced her withdrawal of her candidacy.
The former Foreign Affairs Minister’s withdrawal comes amid submissions from four other governments for the position.
Her announcement comes following claims that federal government and leaders from four federal member states pressured her to withdraw her candidacy at the request of Djibouti’s President, Ismail Omar Guelleh.
“The government and four federal member state leaders have told me to give up my candidacy. I tried to convince them of the importance of the seat, but it was impossible. They agreed that I should give up the seat to Djibouti, who is also a candidate,” she said while speaking during a press conference in Mogadishu.
The move now gives Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga an upper hand in the race for the African Union Commission after Seychelles also withdrew its candidate.
Other countries vying for the AU chairmanship include Djibouti, Mauritius and Madagascar.
The election will take place in February next year.
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