The Kenya African Union Chairmanship (AUC) candidate former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is set to address a summit in Ethiopia as his AUC campaign enters a crucial stage.
The address is set to take place at the AU Multipurpose Hall on the evening of November 8, 2024, as he shall be officially unveiled to the Continent.
A press release by Raila’s AUC campaign secretariat on November 6, read in part, “The candidate will crown the activities with a keynote address at the Grand Campaign Reception to be held at the AU Multipurpose Hall on the evening of November 8, 2024.”
At the same time, the press release highlighted that all the events will be open to the media.
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Raila to Hold Series of Events in Ethiopia
The press release noted that the campaign secretariat of Raila Odinga will host a series of events in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The events are geared to formally unveil him to the continent as the candidate of the Republic of Kenya for chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Moreover, the release further revealed that the Addis Ababa event is a follow-up to the 27th of August 2024 official reception of the candidature of Raila Odinga in Nairobi.
In addition, the event is meant to provide a platform for the candidate to engage with core players, formations and partners of the AU. “The candidate will use the forum to outline his pan-African vision and priorities in line with AU Agenda 2063,” the press release statement explained.
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The AUC Succession Race
The AUC succession race to replace the incumbent union chairperson Moussa Faki of Chad continues to intensify as the days draw nigh. All the candidates in the race continue to solicit support from other African countries to seize the coveted position.
As such, Raila is also bracing hard as Kenya’s state machinery has also manifested interest in backing him as the fit candidate to take up the role.
Despite receiving strong backing from the state, Odinga is facing tough competition from Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the former Foreign Affairs Minister of Djibouti.
However, the challenge does not come solely from the Djibouti candidate. Media reports indicate that a segment of the Kenyan population has also shown resistance. Much of this opposition stems from Odinga’s decision to join the government, an act that many Kenyans view as a betrayal.
The AUC Elections will take place in February 2025 during the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Notably, Raila handed over his Orange Democratic Movement leadership to Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o to concentrate on the AUC campaign.
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