Mudavadi sets date for Ruto to formally launch Raila’s AUC bid
By Mustafa Juma, August 21, 2024Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has announced the date President William Ruto will formally launch Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga’s bid for African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
Mudavadi, while addressing a joint press conference with Raila on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, said President Ruto will officially launch Raila’s bid next week. Mudavadi said that the launch will take place on August 27, 2024.
Mudavadi on Raila Raila’s bid
According to Mudavadi, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader represents Kenya’s voice, values, and aspirations on the continent.
He urged Kenyans to stand with Raila, not just as a government but as a united people.
“Raila Odinga represents Kenya’s voice, values, and aspirations on the continent. As he steps forward, let us stand with him not just as a government but as a united people. It is also programmed that next week, on August 27, 2024, President William Ruto will be formally launching the candidacy of the Kenyan candidate in the name of Raila Amollo Odinga,” Mudavadi said.
Raila’s campaign
Raila has continued to make inroads in the continent in a bid to secure support for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship position.
In his latest round of engagements, Raila visited the Republic of Congo, where he was hosted by President Sassou Nguesso.
The meeting came just a day after Raila secured an endorsement from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On Thursday, August 15, 2024, through his official channels, Raila Odinga announced that DRC President Felix Tshisekedi had thrown his weight behind his candidature.
This is after the two leaders met and discussed critical issues, including security and Raila’s vision for AUC.
I met with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi today to discuss my AUC bid.
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) August 15, 2024
Our conversation centered on the foundational issues of security, development, and climate change—essential for creating lasting prosperity and advancing our shared future.
I thank him for his endorsement. pic.twitter.com/b0Uvb7vZT8
Raila’s competitors
In his bid to clinch the AUC chairmanship, Raila is facing competition from Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssou, former Mauritius Foreign Minister Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, and former Madagascar Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato.
The candidates will initially face a panel for interviews, which will comprise Burundian academic Paul Ngarambe, Ethiopian diplomat Konjit SineGiorgis, Patrick Hayford of Ghana, and Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko from South Africa.
The panelists will seek to know the candidates’ vision for Africa and assess their qualifications to lead the continental body.
The four candidates from the Eastern Africa region are seeking to succeed the current chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, who has held the position since 2017.
In March, the African Union Executive Council decided that the next AUC chairperson would come from the Eastern Africa region.