Raila’s AUC Bid Strengthens as Somalia, Seychelles Withdraw
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has gained further momentum in his African Union Commission bid, with Somalia and Seychelles reportedly withdrawing their candidates as the submission deadline passed.
However, Mr. Odinga will face new competitors, including candidates from Mauritius and Madagascar who have entered the race.
The African Union Commission closed its application process on Tuesday after inviting candidates for the roles of Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and six Commissioner positions, setting the stage for elections in February 2025.
According to reports from the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, at least four prominent candidates, including Kenya’s Mr. Odinga, have officially entered the race. These candidates are vying to replace the outgoing Chairperson Moussa Faki from Chad. Other contenders include Djibouti’s current foreign affairs minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, a candidate from Mauritius who joined the race late, and a candidate from Madagascar.
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President William Ruto announced on his X platform that he had a constructive discussion with Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth regarding AU reforms and Kenya’s bid for the Commission Chair, potentially seeking support from Mauritius, which has also nominated a candidate.
Djibouti’s candidate Youssouf has already begun his campaign, announcing on his X platform that he visited Nairobi to seek President Ruto’s advice and expressed his willingness to collaborate with him if elected.
Youssouf previously met with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who is also the CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, during a courtesy call in Kenya.
Meanwhile, Mr. Odinga’s Capitol Hill office remains active, with the former premier meeting Germany’s Ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth and UK High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan to discuss his AU commission candidacy and recent developments.
On August 2nd, Mr. Odinga also met with AMISOM’s civilian chief of staff Kojo Brew Acquaisie to garner support for his bid.
Following the submission of candidacies, Mr. Odinga and other contenders will be evaluated by a five-member panel of eminent Africans before participating in a televised interview where they will answer questions from Africans.
Raila’s AUC Bid Strengthens as Somalia, Seychelles Withdraw
