African Union unveils list of panel Raila will face in AUC race
African Union has unveiled a list of eminent persons who will sit on the panel that will oversee the pre-selection of candidatures contesting for the senior leadership positions in the African Union Commission (AUC) Elections in 2025.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who expressed interest in the AUC chairperson position will face the panel which has been picked to represent different regions across the continent.
"A Panel of Eminent Africans, composed of five (5) personalities, one per region, will oversee the pre-selection of candidatures for the senior leadership of the Commission. The Panel of Eminent Africans shall be technically assisted by an independent African consultancy firm," the African Union stated.
Members of the panel
According to AU, Prof Paul Ngarambe, an academician from Burundi will represent the Central region during the AUC polls while Ambassador Konjit SineGiorgis from Ethiopia will sit in the panel to represent the Eastern region. 
On the other hand, the Southern region will be represented by Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko and Patrick Hayford will sit in the panel to represent the Western region.
"The nominee from the Northern Region will be included in the Panel upon the conclusion of regional consultations and the submission of the nominee," the African Union clarified on the fifth member of the panel.
Their role
With Raila angling himself to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat at the helm of the continental body, he will first need to meet the thresholds set by the African Union.
The panel will play a critical role in ensuring that all candidates meet the set standards.
Other roles they will be expected to play ahead of the polls include developing job profiles and competency requirements for the senior leadership of the Commission. This includes generic leadership skills and competencies as well as expert and thematic skills concerning specific portfolios.
The panel will base their assessment on the skills and competencies identified for each senior leadership position.
Secretariat to help Raila
To sail Raila through his bid to become the next AUC chairperson, the government created a campaign secretariat.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said that Odinga's candidacy campaigns will now be led by the state and the created secretariat will work closely with Odinga's consultation team.
"It will prepare all the briefs for use by the candidate, develop campaign materials including digital presence, and prepare for the public debate to be broadcast live for African citizens," Mudavadi said.
"The team is firming up preparatory and application documents together with requisite translations of the resume into 6 languages; Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, French, English, and Kiswahili."
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