The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat has endorsed former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the position of African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson.
In a letter dated March 21, EAC Secretary General Peter Mathuki said the Kenyan government formally communicated Raila’s candidature on March 20, 2024.
EAC urged all its member states to mobilize support for Raila’s bid adding that he has the experience needed to run the affairs of the continent.
“The Republic of Kenya has officially communicated to the EAC Secretary General vide letter Ref: No EAC/5/4 VOL.8(58) dated 20th March 2024, of their candidature for the position of the Chairperson of the AUC and further proposed the candidature of the Raila Amolo Odinga for the Position of Chairperson of the AUC,” the letter read in part.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you of this development and urge partners to mobilize support for the candidature of Raila Amolo Odinga given his immense experience in leadership and understanding of issues affecting our continent.”
EAC further reminded the members that election of the Chairperson, AUC will be held in February 2025.
Kenya’s Message to EAC
In the letter to the EAC, Kenya noted that it was the turn of the Eastern Africa Region to submit candidates for the position of Chairperson of the AUC.
EAC Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza proposed Raila’s candidature for the position of Chairperson of the AUC and asked the Community to support Kenya’s bid.
She explained Raila’s experience serving as the inaugural AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development until February 2023.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to request you to mobilize the EAC Partner States to support the Republic of Kenya during the elections of the Chairperson AUC to be held in February 2025,” the letter read in part.
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Malonza said countries have until May 2024 to submit names of their preferred candidates for the new Chairperson to be selected at the next AU Summit in 2025.
Kenya stated that the current Chairperson Moussa Faki is serving his final term in office having been elected in 2017 hence the position will fall vacant in 2025.
“In choosing the names Member States are required to pick not only the former Heads of State and Foreign Ministers but also Africans who have excelled at statecraft in other domains,” the letter stated.
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Presidents Who Have Endorsed Raila
Speaking on February 29, Raila said he had the support from six presidents and will intensify campaigns to convince more.
Among them is Kenya’s President William Ruto, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Felix Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic of Congo), Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and South Sudan’s Salva Kir.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame also endorsed Raila for the AU job citing his vast experience and sacrifices for Kenya.
Somalia’s Candidature
However, Raila is facing competition from Somalia’s Former minister for Foreign Affairs, Fawzia Adam.
Adam has joined the race to succeed Faki and is fronted by the Federal Republic of Somalia government under President Hassan Mohamud. EAC has eight member states.
