President William Ruto’s decision to support former Prime Minister Raila Odinga For the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) has been a debating point in Kenya.
Speaking on February 9, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing’Oei explained why Kenya settled for Raila for the position.
The PS explained that President was informed by the roles of the office of the Chairperson AUC.
Sing’Oei stated that the AUC office has more than 16 functions, the most critical being representing the interest of Africa globally.
“AU is now a member of the G20, meaning that that person represents and articulates the interest of Africa in that body,” he said.
He said AU if a member of various other forums including Forum for China-Africa, T-Card with Japan, U.S Africa Summit where the interest of the continent is at play.
Therefore, he said the position requires a consummate, strong and visionary leader and negotiator who has been tested and is not going to overrode by the office.
“It requires a leader who is going to shape the office, giving it gravity and weight. So, in choosing Raila, I think Ruto was very conscious of the need to have a strong leader at the helm of the AUC who will be able to drive the African narrative for this Africa century,” he said.
Raila Being All-Round
According to Sing’Oei, Kenya is a believer in Afrika renaissance, an Africa that is rising, self-confident, assert its interest more strongly and one that can take its place in serious capitals.
“You are not really looking at a bureaucrat, you are looking at somebody who can straddle the spheres of technical, political and diplomatic. There are very few people of this caliber and that is why Raila was then the right choice,” he said.
Sing’Oei said the leadership of AU at the very highest level is an opportunity which every country aspires to have.
He said occupying the post represents a bestowal of trust and confidence on that particular country.
Also Read: Explained: Step by Step Process of How AUC Voting Will be Conducted
Time for East Africa to Lead AUC
The PS stated that AU has been led by people from many regions except East Africa.
He mentioned that the last time East Africa led was during tenure of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) before it transitioned to AU.
This was when Salim Salem, a seasoned diplomat from Tanzania, was the Secretary General of OAU.
“Since the establishment of AU 25 years, Easter Africa has not led it. It now the time of the Eastern region and Kenya is an important member of this region,” he said.
Also Read: Has Raila Rival & Djibouti’s Candidate Dropped Out of AUC Race?
Why Kenya is the Best Option
He said every country in the region is important, but Kenya carries a lot of weight.
This he explained is int particularly in terms of refugee’s burden, burden of negotiating peace deals in the region and support it gives to many countries in terms of economy among others.
“Because of our leadership, we thought that this would be a good time for Kenya. In making that decision, the question became, which Kenyan? Who?” Sing’Oei said.
He mentioned that the AUC is a good investment adding that there will be tangible returns to Nairobi and Kenya.
The AUC elections will be held on February 15, 2025, during an AU summit.
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