AUC: Raila Heads South After Ramping Up Support From West Africa
Raila Odinga, Kenya’s candidate for African Union Commission chairperson, will go to Southern Africa starting next month as part of his last cross-Africa campaign.
Raila’s head of campaigns, Elkanah Odembo, said that the Azimio leader will dedicate next month to the Southern African Development Community, which has 16 member nations.
“We will be going to SADC in January,” Odembo stated.
Raila’s Southern Africa offensive comes only days after the Mjadala Leadership debate, in which he faced up against two of his competitors on television.
During the Friday debate, Raila promised to cooperate with other African leaders to secure two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council if elected.
Raila claimed that would be a fair portrayal of the continent to the Security Council.
Under his leadership, he promised permanent representation for Africa, complete with veto rights.
He remarked that Africa, with 55 independent nations, has no seat, but Europe has three.
“I’m not going to talk about permanent representation,” he said.
“If the heads of state see it fit that I should head this, I will work with all the leadership of the continent to ensure that we get fair treatment on the international scene.”
The former Prime Minister also guaranteed trade balance, emphasizing the importance of adding value to raw resources from Africa.
He also underlined the importance of increasing intra-African commerce, which now stands at only 15%.
Raila stated that the African Free Trade Area, which was formed three years ago, has made little progress due to non-tariff barriers, as well as payment norms and methods that differ by country.
The pledges are part of his 10-point plan for Africa’s transformation.
Raila requires two-thirds of the votes from the 55 countries that will vote in order to secure the desired position.
The geopolitics, language, and religion of member states will all play a part in determining who wins the elections next year.
Six member states have been suspended due to either war or hostile takeovers of governments. These include Sudan, Gabon, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea.
This implies Raila must receive at least 33 votes to succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki.
Several elements are predicted to shape the race, including religion, age, the Anglo-French divide, Western influence, and developing continental forces such as Russia and China.
Raila’s AUC campaign secretariat is working on several initiatives to enhance his chances of victory.
His CV has been translated into six languages. He has also received backing from a number of countries, which have committed to back his candidacy.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi have decided to support Raila’s bid.
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Burundi, Seychelles, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Algeria, and the Republic of Congo have all promised to back him.
Kenya’s diplomatic prowess will be tested to its limits when the government launches a continent-wide campaign.
The continental vote might also be interpreted as a referendum on President William Ruto’s regional power, as he campaigned for Raila, his erstwhile rival and now political partner.
Ruto’s administration is thought to have released significant resources and is not taking any chances.
AUC: Raila Heads South After Ramping Up Support From West Africa
