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[QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 25981, member: 2262"]
Some powerful countries decided they did not want Raila Odinga to win an important African election. Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia worked together against him. These are called Arab countries. France joined them and asked other countries to vote against Raila, too.

These countries used money and favors to make Raila lose. They wanted Ali Mohammed Youssouf from Djibouti to win instead. Djibouti is a small country, but it is an important place. Many strong countries care about what happens there.

On the day of the election, Youssouf got 33 votes, more than Raila. Youssouf had an easier time because he did not have to travel as much as Raila to ask for votes.

President William Ruto of Kenya and Raila both tried to get help from Egypt's leader. But Egypt surprised them and voted for Djibouti anyway. Someone said Egypt even offered money to other countries if they would vote against Raila.

Djibouti does not have as many diplomats in Africa as Kenya does, but it worked very hard to get countries to like it more than Kenya. This worked, and many countries decided to support Djibouti.

Kenya did win a different election to be part of the United Nations. But they had to work hard for it. They did not get enough votes the first time and had to have a second vote to win.

Raila's loss in the African election shows that it can be difficult for Kenyans to win big competitions in Africa. It also shows that Arab countries are becoming more powerful and important in Africa.
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