Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has received yet another boost in his African Union Commission (AUC) race, after Seychelles’ candidate confirmed his withdrawal.
Former Seychelles Vice President Vincent Meriton confirmed that he withdrew from the AUC race in July and Kenya’s candidate Raila Odinga.
Vincent Meriton stated that he withdrew his candidacy from the African Union Chairpersonship race due to health reasons in July this year.
He added that he would not have been able to withstand the pressure that goes with the position.
“Today I want to lend my support to his excellency Raila Odinga as he travels far and wide along the continent to spread his message of Pan Africanism, peace, security, prosperity for all the continent and its citizens,” he said.
Seychelles Former AUC Candidate Endorses Raila
Meriton emphasized that as Africa needs a new leadership at the AUC as it positions itself to play a more assertive role on the international scene.
He added that the race is not about rivalry among the candidates but about finding the best person who can lead the continent, a position he said Raila fits.
“I admire the drive, passion, the enthusiasm that his excellency has. His long year of experience is what our continent needs as we move ahead and take our rightful place along the communities on the international scene,” Meriton said.
“With Raila Odinga, all the member States and all the regional economic communities, we cannot back succeed. Let us rally behind him for the good of our continent, children, mothers, business and all our community.”
Also Read: Raila AUC Bid: Top Diplomats Convene as Race Intensifies
Raila on Vincent Meriton Support
On his part, Raila expressed gratitude to Meriton for supporting his candidacy and offering to volunteer in his campaigns.
He added that Meriton stepped down from joining the race because of the respect he has for him.
‘I have just had a very useful meeting with Vincent Meriton. Meriton has been a politician in Seychelles for a long time and he’s told me that he wanted to run for the chairmanship of the African Union but opted not to submit his application because of his respect for me,” said Raila in a video.
“He has volunteered to help in the campaign for the chairmanship. I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his sense of patriotism and his sacrifice to support my campaign. I thank him very much for his generosity.”
Also Read: Raila’s AUC Rival: Mahamoud Ali Youssouf Profile & Key Accomplishments
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This comes after President Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi drummed up support for Odinga during the Common Market for East and Central Africa (COMESA) Summit in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Mudavadi and Ruto represented Odinga’s interests at the summit, calling on COMESA states to back his bid.
The PCS praised Odinga as a leader capable of steering Africa toward peace, integration, and prosperity, highlighting his extensive diplomatic and advocacy experience.
“Raila Odinga possesses outstanding diplomatic and advocacy skills, with a proven ability to engage global, continental, and regional leaders to advance Africa’s interests,” Mudavadi stated, during a session where Kenya was announced as COMESA’s incoming Vice President.
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