RAILA ODINGA: Baba Roars At The Continental Stage For AUC Chair Bid
With only five months until the election for the next African Union (AU) Chairperson, Kenya officially announced Raila Odinga as its candidate on Tuesday at State House in Nairobi.
In a grand ceremony attended by regional heads of state, former leaders, ministers, and ambassadors, Odinga presented his vision for the continent.
President William Ruto’s administration has already endorsed him as the best candidate for the position.
Speaking at the event, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized Odinga’s candidacy on a continental scale.
I dream of an Africa where our people are united. I plan to work with leaders across the continent to integrate this beautiful land and break down barriers to unite all Africans. pic.twitter.com/j5D0ri7eGi
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) August 28, 2024
“From today onwards, the candidate will intensify his continental engagements by travelling far and wide to present himself to the leadership of African states,” replied Mudavadi.
Odinga, a veteran of Kenyan politics, now wants to make his mark on the African stage.
“I don’t want Africans to be divided as Anglophones, Francophones, and Lucophones. I want them to be Africaphones,” he declared, underscoring his vision for a united Africa.
Odinga, a prominent figure in numerous political campaigns, now faces this new challenge with the full support of the Kenyan government.
“I’m not going to be very active in local politics henceforth, as I continue to focus my attention on the continental campaign,” he stated, signaling his commitment to the AU Chairmanship bid.
Odinga’s candidacy is met with high expectations. He expressed surprise at the Kenyan government’s support.
“I was myself pleasantly surprised that the Kenyan government said they would support me. I was expecting them to say no. I don’t know why they said yes.”
With an outstanding performance, Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi emphasized the importance of this bid.
Today, marked a significant milestone as H.E. President @WilliamsRuto officially unveiled Rt. Hon. @RailaOdinga as Kenya's candidate for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission. pic.twitter.com/2sGWuqcB7f
— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) August 27, 2024
“This is not about local issues. It would be a first for Kenya,” the CS said.
However, the path to the AU Chair is fraught with obstacles. Kenya’s previous bid for the position, led by former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed in 2017, failed, in part because of the country’s stance on Sahrawi Republic recognition.
Furthermore, the Israel-Palestine conflict presents another diplomatic hurdle, with Kenya opting for a stance of neutrality or strategic ambiguity.
In 2017, Kenya was optimistic about Amina Mohamed’s chances but was taken aback when even neighboring countries did not vote for her.
The campaign was criticized for being disorganized and led by ministers rather than experienced diplomats.
Kenya is approaching the election with a new strategy this time around, as the Eastern Region takes over as Chair of the AU Commission.
The election is scheduled for February 2025, and candidates will respond to questions from across the continent during a live televised debate.
The ultimate test will be when the Heads of State and Government meet in Addis Ababa to elect the Chair and Deputy Chair via secret ballot, with a two-thirds majority of the 55 member states required for victory.
Odinga will face stiff competition from Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, former Mauritian Foreign Minister Anil Kumarsingh, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato. Youssouf is widely regarded as his main rival.
RAILA ODINGA: Baba Roars At The Continental Stage For AUC Chair Bid
