Madagascar woos Central Africa states to support its AUC candidate

Madagascar's former Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato.

Madagascar's former Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato.

Photo credit: Pool

Madagascar this week dispatched a delegation to Central Africa to campaign for its candidate, Richard Randriamandrato,for the African Union Commission (AUC) seat in this month’s election. 

Led by Malagasy minister of Foreign Affairs Rasata Rafaravavitafika, the delegation visited Brazzaville in Congo, Bangui in the Central African Republic, N’Djamena in Chad and Younde, Cameroon.

In Yaounde the delegation was received by Secretary-General at the Presidency Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh on behalf of President Paul Biya.

“We are here to convey a message from His Excellency President Andry Rajoelina to his brother, His Excellency Paul Biya. He wants to really present the candidature of our candidate to the position of AU Commission chairperson,” Rafaravavitafika told state broadcaster, Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV).

Mr Randriamandrato, a former Foreign Affairs minister, will face Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Kenya’s former prime minister Raila Odinga in the election next week.

Ms Rafaravavitafika said they are “deeply convinced” that Randriamandrato is the right person to help Africa achieveAgenda 2063, Africa’s for transformation blueprint.

She said she was optimistic about Yaounde’s support, noting that Cameroon and Madagascar share values and deep-seated connections. 

Many Madagascar diplomats have been trained in Cameroon's International Relations Institute (IRIC), while some Cameroonian military officers have received training in Madagascar.