In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, backed by President William Ruto, is confident in his bid for African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, focusing on trade, infrastructure, and economic transformation for Africa.
- Odinga faces competition from top diplomats from Djibouti, Mauritania, and Madagascar, as he intensifies his campaign ahead of the AUC election in February 2025.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga expressed confidence about his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, sharing his vision at a thanksgiving ceremony in Rangwe, Homa Bay County, on Sunday.
Fresh off a two-day campaign at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Odinga outlined his transformative plans for Africa’s future.
“I am ready to serve Africa, and to those challenging me, I say, meet you in the field!” he told the gathered crowd.
Odinga envisions an Africa where barriers to trade are removed, allowing Kenyans to sell products and find employment freely across countries like Nigeria, Algeria, and Egypt.
During his campaign in Addis Ababa, Odinga pledged to fast-track economic transformation across the continent.
He emphasized his commitment to enhancing intra-African trade, improving infrastructure, achieving financial independence, and advancing gender equity and agricultural transformation. His agenda also includes a strong focus on climate action.
Raila Odinga: Juzi nilikuwa Addis Ababa. Mimi nikasema niko tayari kuhudumia Afrika, kuna wengine ambao wananipinga lakini nikasema tukutane kwa kiwanja pic.twitter.com/NAJ2QQL5pc
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 10, 2024
Reflecting on his campaign, Odinga told the cheering crowd, “I roared in Addis Ababa. I shared my leadership vision for this continent. We are the most resourced continent, yet we have not always claimed what is ours. It is time we wake up.”
He argued that Africa must harness its resources for its benefit instead of exporting raw materials and importing costly finished products.
As a former AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development, Odinga plans to intensify his campaign over the next three months through a robust shuttle diplomacy program.
With the support of his major backer, President William Ruto, he aims to achieve what Kenya’s previous candidate, Ambassador Amina Mohamed, could not in the 2017 AUC chair race.
Odinga’s competition includes Djibouti’s top diplomat Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, former Mauritanian Foreign Affairs Minister Anil Gayan, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister James Randriamandrato.
The four candidates are vying to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat, whose term ends in February 2025.