The African Union Executive Council on Friday, March 15 unanimously agreed that it is the turn of the Eastern Africa region to submit candidates for the position of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). This paves way for Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to vie.
A statement from the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s Office said the decision is in accordance with the Statute of the AU Commission, the Rules of Procedure of the African Union policy organs and the decisions of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
“This is a major breakthrough for the Eastern Africa region to present candidates for the position of Chairperson of the AUC,” said Dr Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Dr. Mudavadi, who actively lobbied for adoption of the decision during the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU, said the decision aligns with what Kenya has been pushing for.
“It is now clear that the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga will be in the race for the AU Commission Chairperson,” he said.
“Effectively, there are no more technical or legal hurdles preventing Kenya from submitting its candidate.”
At the same time, the statement said, “The decision also provides that the Northern Africa region will front candidates for the Deputy Chairperson while the other three regions, Central, Southern and Western, will compete for the six positions of commissioners.”
Also Read: Former Raila Aide Calls for a Shift in Communication Amid AU Bid
7 Presidents Support Raila
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame became the latest head of state to support Raila’s bid.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 13, Kagame praised Raila’s performance during his tenure as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development adding that he is well qualified for the chairperson position.
Kagame is the 7th Head of State to endorse Raila’s bid after Kenya’s President William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
Also Read: Raila Will Serve Only 2 Years at AU if Elected – Moses Kuria
On February 29, Raila revealed that Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Salva Kirr of South Sudan, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, and Felix Tshisekedi of DRC had pledged to vote for him.
“Samia Suluhu has already said she will vote for me. Salva Kiir has accepted, and I want to sweep across the entire East Africa before heading south. The other day, I was with Ramaphosa, and he said yes, and Tshisekedi also said yes,” remarked Raila.
The election is scheduled to take place during the next AU summit, expected to be held between January and February 2025.
