Shuttle Diplomacy for Raila Odinga’s African Union Chairmanship Bid Kicks Off
Kenya has launched a diplomatic mission involving shuttle diplomacy to pursue the goal of ensuring that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga secures the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) in the upcoming February 2025 election.
According to campaign strategists, the procedure includes the presidency, the candidate and their team, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Eastern Africa.
It has additionally enlisted the involvement of the Ministry of East African Community (EAC) led by Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza.
Partner States
Ms. Malonza recently reached out to Dr. Peter Mathuki, the departing secretary-general of the EAC Secretariat, asking him to “rally the EAC partner nations in backing the Republic of Kenya.”
“Kenya is proposing the candidature of [Mr] Odinga … for the position of [AUC Chairperson]. [Mr] Odinga was appointed the inaugural AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development, a position he held until February 2023,” Ms Malonza wrote in the March 20 letter that was also copied to other regional EAC ministers.
In his reply, Mr. Mathuki corresponded with several Eastern Region EAC ministers and their counterparts in Foreign Affairs, such as Somalia’s Ali Mohamed Omar, highlighting the nation’s selection of Mr. Odinga as its nominee for the position.
‘Further proposed’
“The Republic of Kenya has officially communicated to the EAC Secretary-General vide letter Ref: No EAC/5/4 VOL.8 (58) dated March 20, 2024, of their candidature for the position of the AUC and further proposed the candidature of [Mr.] Odinga … for the position.”
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you of this development and urge partners to mobilize support for the candidature of [Mr] Odinga given his immense experience in leadership and understanding of issues affecting our continent,” Mr Mathuki wrote in his letter dated March 21 and also copied to other regional ministers including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Former Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fawzia Adam, has entered the competition to replace the current Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
Yesterday, a representative from Mr. Odinga’s campaign team informed Nation that any formal announcements will be preceded by “careful discussions” aimed at garnering support.
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“Remember this is an election that will take place in February 2025 and the voters are Presidents. President William Ruto will continue to reach out to his colleagues to secure support for Kenya, while the candidate will also be seeking an endorsement from individual Presidents ahead of the vote,” the official told Gossipa2z.com.
Mr. Mudavadi cautioned Kenyan politicians against making statements that could endanger the country’s chances of securing the position, expressing concern that certain remarks could undermine Kenya’s efforts to attain the prominent regional position.
“Please let us take this issue of the AUC chairmanship more seriously than we are taking it. Be careful because what you say may undermine our national interest, don’t just speak as if it is a village agenda,” he warned.
Former ambassador to the United States (US), Mr Elkanah Odembo, who is also one of the strategists who are being consulted in the country’s quest for the top continental post, said the officials were “undertaking some key measures including identifying members of the regional teams and conducting an assessment of the operating environment.”
Significant influence
“We are also identifying possible key external influencers such as the US, France, UK [United Kingdom], EU [European Union] and the Brics,” Mr Odembo revealed.
Brics refers to a coalition comprising five significant emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Before South Africa’s inclusion in 2010, the grouping was known simply as Bric.
The BRICS countries boast rapidly expanding economies and wield substantial influence in both regional and global matters.
They are all part of the G20 coalition of countries and represent a considerable share of the world’s populace and geographical expanse, with their collective GDP constituting a significant portion of the worldwide economy.
“We are also creating a profile of the candidate and his vision and mission for the continent…in all five languages of the AU and developing a comprehensive communication strategy, including campaign messaging and media events and interviews,” said Mr Odembo.
Gossipa2z.com was notified that Mr. Odinga’s campaign intends to utilize a variety of platforms to its advantage.
“These include key continental and multilateral forums like the AU statutory meetings of Heads of States and Governments and those of ministers; UN General Assembly, meetings of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), AU strategic partner meetings, FOCAC (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) and TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development), among others,” added Mr Odembo.
Shuttle Diplomacy for Raila Odinga’s African Union Chairmanship Bid Kicks Off
