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Former Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship has gained momentum following his meeting with Mozambique’s newly elected President Daniel Francisco Chapo.

In a statement posted on his X account on January 17, 2025, Raila expressed gratitude for the warm reception in Maputo.

“We have landed to warm hospitality today in Maputo, Mozambique hosted by the newly elected President H.E Daniel Francisco Chapo,” he wrote.

Expressing optimism about gaining Mozambique’s support, Raila noted that the meeting provided him an opportunity to share his vision and campaign for the AUC Chairperson position.

“Thank you Mr President for the opportunity to share with you my vision for Africa and my quest to be the AUC Chairperson. Obrigado!” he wrote.

This meeting marks the latest stop in Raila’s intensive diplomatic tour across Africa.

Raila in Southern Africa

Over the past week, Raila has visited several Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states, as part of a strategic push to solidify support in the region.

The former prime minister kicked off his SADC region tour in Mauritius, where he secured the island nation’s endorsement for his bid.

On January 16, 2025, Raila met with Lesotho’s Prime Minister Sam Matekane in Maseru to seek his country’s backing for his AUC candidacy.

Earlier that same day, Odinga had met with Botswanan President Duma Boko in Gaborone.

“I continued with my AUC chairperson campaigns in the SADC region with a stop in Botswana. H.E President Duma Boko is hosting us in Gaborone,” Odinga wrote on his official X account.

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Raila met with Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba at the State House in Windhoek, where they discussed his agenda for Africa and his candidacy for the AUC Chairmanship.

“We thank H.E President Dr Nangolo Mbumba @DrNangoloMbumba of Namibia for hosting us at Statehouse in Windhoek. We used the opportunity to discuss our African Agenda and my African Union Chairmanship candidature,” Raila stated.

On Monday, January 13, 2025, the Kenyan candidate was in Zimbabwe, where he held discussions with President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare.

“We landed in Harare, Zimbabwe today to a warm reception courtesy of H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa It’s been a pleasure sharing with the president my vision for Africa and discussing my candidature for the AUC Chairmanship,” Raila wrote on X.

African Union election

The AUC chairperson elections are scheduled for February 2025 during the African Union Summit.

Raila will be competing against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan from Mauritius, and Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar.

The winner will succeed the outgoing chairperson, Moussa Faki.