Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-03-09 04:35:34
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has received a significant boost in his campaign to become the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) with the backing of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. Azimio allies, including Pauline Njoroge, Deputy Organising Secretary of the Jubilee Party, confirmed that Kagame had pledged his support for Raila in the upcoming elections scheduled for next year. This endorsement from Kagame is a testament to his faith in Raila’s leadership abilities, especially considering his previous experience in the position.
President Kagame emphasized the value that Raila could bring to the African continent due to his exceptional leadership skills, deep understanding of the region, and vast experience in the AU as a former High Representative on Infrastructure Development. This endorsement is a significant milestone for Raila’s campaign, as it demonstrates the support he has garnered from influential leaders across the continent.
During a meeting with President Kagame in Kigali, Raila discussed regional and Pan-African ideals, reaffirming their commitment to African unity and solidarity for shared prosperity and progress. While Raila did not disclose the specifics of their conversation, he highlighted that their discussions were focused on the unity and development of the continent.
Raila’s efforts to secure support for his candidacy have been successful, with several presidents within the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) pledging their backing. Leaders such as Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Salva Kiir of South Sudan, Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa have all expressed their support for Raila’s bid.
In addition, President Yoweri Museveni has indicated his willingness to nominate Raila as a candidate during the upcoming elections. The EAC block, as highlighted by President William Ruto, is set to field one candidate to maximize their chances of securing the AUC chairperson position.
Raila faces competition from Somalia’s former Foreign Minister Fawzia Adam within the EAC block as they vie to succeed Moussa Faki of Chad, who has completed two terms of four years in office. With the support of influential leaders and regional alliances, Raila’s bid for the AUC chairperson position continues to gain momentum as he positions himself as a strong candidate with the vision and leadership qualities needed to lead the African Union towards a prosperous future.
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