Raila tours Botswana as he intensifies his AUC chairperson campaigns in SADC region

By , January 16, 2025

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has intensified his campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, targeting the crucial Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc with visits to multiple countries in the region.

In his latest diplomatic offensive, Odinga met with Botswanian President Duma Boko in Gaborone on Thursday, January 16, 2025.

“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.

The visit follows a series of strategic engagements across southern Africa.

Touring the bloc

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Odinga met with Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba at the State House in Windhoek.

The former Prime Minister shared that he used the opportunity to discuss his agenda for Africa, and his AUC Chairmanship candidature.

“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 said in a statement.

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

During the meeting, Odinga shared his manifesto for the AUC leadership.

“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.

The former Prime Minister kicked off his SADC region tour in Mauritius, where he secured the island nation’s backing for his bid.

Raila’s strategy

His campaign strategy includes visiting at least 10 southern African countries by the end of January 2025.

The AUC chairperson elections, scheduled for February 2025 during the African Union Summit, will see Odinga compete against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan of Mauritius, and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.

The winner will succeed outgoing chairperson Moussa Faki.

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