Kenya Launches Raila Campaign for Top AU Post
Kenya has officially proposed the candidacy of Opposition leader Raila Odinga to fellow African nations, aiming for his election as the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
During a meeting with diplomats from African nations in Nairobi, Musalia Mudavadi, who holds the position of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, urged the nations to endorse Mr. Odinga and provide their support.
He mentioned that Nairobi intends to leverage its leadership role at the AUC to strengthen connections among African nations, particularly in the realms of trade and investments.
Mr. Mudavadi emphasized Kenya’s resolve to enhance its standing within the Commission, stating that the nation is dedicated to fostering a more interconnected and thriving Africa.
It marked Nairobi’s initial official presentation of Mr. Odinga’s name, despite Mr. Mudavadi having previously mentioned it publicly at gatherings held during the Africa Union Summit in Addis Ababa last month.
Mr. Odinga has already declared his candidacy and has been engaging with African leaders, both directly and indirectly, over the past few months, to garner their support.
The upcoming AUC elections are scheduled for February of the following year. The successful candidate will take the position currently held by Chadian diplomat Moussa Faki Mahamat, who is concluding his two terms and is not eligible for reelection.
Eligible countries
According to the reforms implemented in 2018, the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons, and six commissioners of the AU Commission will be elected in a rotating manner. This implies that the next chairperson will come from Eastern Africa.
Nevertheless, during the summit held last month, a suggestion was presented to restrict countries that have previously provided chairpersons or deputies from participating in the elections, unless all eligible countries in their region have had an opportunity to do so as well. The approval of this proposal by the Assembly is still pending, and Mr. Odinga might be anticipating the outcome of the discussions to determine his eligibility. Erastus Mwencha of Kenya served as the Deputy Commission Chairperson from 2008 to 2016.
“Africa forms the core of Kenya’s foreign policy and we must ensure we have mutual coexistence and cooperation among African nations,” he told the members of the African diplomatic corps in Nairobi.
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Mr. Mudavadi mentioned that Kenya is fulfilling commitments to enhance ties with African nations. He highlighted the elimination of visa restrictions for all countries starting this year as a means by which Nairobi is fostering trade relationships with other African nations. However, visitors are now required to pay a $30 fee for each trip to Nairobi through an online portal.
Kenya has recently waived the fee for Ethiopia, Comoros, South Africa, and Congo-Brazzaville, allowing all member states of the East African Community to enter without the need for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) registration.
“I am aware that the implementation of the visa-free regime has its teething challenges but I assure Your Excellencies that we are aware of these concerns which continue to be addressed and soon we will have a flawless regime,” Mudavadi said.
Kenya Launches Raila Campaign for Top AU Post