Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is set to officially unveil his candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Friday, November 8, 2024.
“On Friday, November 8, 2024, the campaign secretariat of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga will host a series of events in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to formally unveil him to the continent as the candidate for the Republic of Kenya for chairperson of the African Union Commission,” a statement from Raila’s secretariat said.
“The Addis event is a follow-up to the August 27, 2024, official reception of the candidature of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga in Nairobi, and 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 prioritise in line with AU Agenda 2063.”
Raila is set to deliver a keynote address on Friday, November 8, 2024, evening at the AU Multipurpose Hall in Addis Ababa.
During his unveiling as Kenya’s candidate for the AUC chairmanship, President William Ruto assigned Foreign Affairs PS Kipkorir Sing’Oei and former Kenyan ambassador to the US Elkanah Odembo as the heads of the secretariat.
Main competitor
Raila will face Djibouti Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf, who is seen as his main opponent in the February 2025 election.
Other candidates are Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar).
During his US tour on September 27, 2024, Ruto intensified his campaigns for Raila on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
“In New York, discussed Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission Chairperson with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal,” President Ruto stated.
In separate meetings, the Kenyan leader met Presidents Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo and Assimi Goita (Mali), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Umaro Sissoco Embalo (Guinea-Bissau), Mahamat Idriss Deby (Chad) and Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia.
Ruto campaigns for Raila
President Ruto has been at the forefront in championing Odinga’s bid to win the AU Commission’s top job stating that he will protect the region’s interests.
This is after the East African Community (EAC) leaders agreed to sponsor Odinga as the candidate for the African Union (AU) Commission chairman post.
Kenya officially launched the former Prime Minister’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship on Tuesday, August 29, 2024. President Ruto hosted regional leaders to express his unwavering support for Odinga’s candidacy at State House, Nairobi.
