Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing’oei on Friday shared an update on Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson bid as the February 2025 election approaches.
Korir in a post on his X official account said “all is set” for Raila to vie for the position of chairperson of AUC.
The PS also shared the front page of Raila’s curriculum vitae (CV) which was among the requisite that all interested candidates were to submit.
As per the schedule of the AU elections calendar, the deadline for the submission of the regional nominations to the AU Commission is August 6, 2024.
The elections to find the next AUC chair job will take place in 2025 during the African Union Summit when Chad’s Moussa Faki, the current chairperson, will exit after his two-term tenure.
The AUC candidates were also supposed to submit to their member states CV along with vision statements outlining how they intend to advance the transformative agenda of the African Union, and to address the existing and emerging challenges facing the continent.
On March 15, 2024, the AU Executive Council ratified a decision to have Eastern Africa produce the next chairperson while the Deputy Chairperson will be elected from Northern Africa.
Raila Faces Criticisms Over AU Bid
This comes days after the former Prime Minister during the recent anti-government protests said he was willing to give up his ambitions for the AUC chairperson post for the good of the country.
Odinga has recently faced criticism from Kenyans especially the Gen Z after he agreed to join the Kenya Kwanza government to form a broad-based government.
“Iam ready to forgo my AUC ambitions for the sake of my country if this is being used to manipulate me at the expense of the quest for a better and stable country,” he said.
Also Read: I Am Ready to Drop My AU Bid to Support Gen Z – Raila
Kenyan youth identifying themselves as Gen Z on July 9 voiced strong opposition to the candidature of Raila Odinga through a letter to the AU criticizing his track record, citing his consistent failure to advocate for policies and initiatives that empower young people.
“His lack of engagement and vision for youth development is alarming,” the statement read, pointing out the crucial need for leadership that prioritizes the aspirations of Africa’s predominantly young population.
“It is imperative that the African Union is led by an individual who genuinely champions the interests of all Africans, particularly the youth.”
Ruto Supporting Raila
Meanwhile, President William Ruto has previously campaigned for Odinga in neighboring countries, with Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Uganda publicly pledging their support.
Speaking during his State visit to Ghana, President Ruto said Kenya’s candidature is informed by its leading role in enhancing and sustaining the pan-African agenda.
“This is in terms of independence and sovereignty, peace and security, development and prosperity as well as sustainability and climate action. We hope to work with all as we strive to achieve Africa’s 2063 agenda,” Ruto said.
Other countries that have endorsed Raila include South Africa, Tanzania, South Sudan and Congo.
Odinga will face Seychelles’s former Vice President Vincent Meriton, Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf and former Somalia Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf in next February’s poll.
Also Read: Tables Turn on Raila as Gen Zs Write to African Union
Ahead of the elections conducted in a secret ballot, candidates vying for the position of the Chairperson of the Commission participate in a televised debate broadcasted live to citizens in African nations.
The Assembly of Heads of State and Government elects the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.
The Africa Leadership Debate dubbed MjadalaAfrika is a platform that provides candidates an opportunity to outline their vision of how they will lead the transformation of Africa through the implementation of the AU Mandate and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
The debate allows African citizens and other stakeholders to put forward questions to the candidates on issues they want addressed on how to propel the continent’s growth and ensure Africa achieves its goals for integrated and sustainable development and becoming a major player in the Global Arena.
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