Raila meets EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger to discuss reforms in AU
By Francis Muli, August 8, 2024
Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has met European Union (EU) Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger to discuss reforms in the African Union (AU).
In a statement on Thursday, August 8, 2024, Raila said they had discussed reforms including boosting intra-Africa trade, climate action and investing in education and infrastructure.
“Had a fruitful discussion with Henriette Geiger, @EUAmbKenya, on necessary AU reforms, boosting intra-Africa trade, climate action, and investing in education and infrastructure,” Raila stated.
Raila, who is eying the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, said they also discussed African unity inspired by the EU model.
“We agreed on the need for a united and integrated Africa, inspired by the EU model,” he added.
Raila’s AUC bid
The government has submitted requisite documentation for Raila Odinga’s bid for AUC chairmanship on July 29, 2024.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singo’ei confirmed the submission of the document to the Dean of Eastern Region, Dharmraj Busgeeth, who is also the Ambassador of Mauritius.
“Under the authority of the Government of Kenya and as per the Statutes and Rules of the African Union Commission, we have today formally submitted requisite documentation of Kenya’s nominee for the Chairmanship of @_AfricanUnion, H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, to the Dean of Eastern Region, H.E. Dharmraj Busgeeth, Ambassador of Mauritius,” Sing’oei stated.
The AUC chairperson is the chief executive officer, legal representative of the AU and the Commission’s Chief Accounting Officer. The Chairperson of the Commission is elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once.
The chairperson’s functions include overall responsibility for the Commission’s administration and finances; Promoting and popularising the AU’s objectives and enhancing its performance; consulting and coordinating with key stakeholders like member states and development partners, appointing and managing Commission staff and acting as a depository for all AU and OAU treaties and legal instruments.
In his bid to succeed the current chairman Moussa Faki, Raila will have to floor Djibouti Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan from Mauritius and Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar.
The AU Commission elections will take place in February 2025 during the African Union Summit.