The African Union has unanimously adopted the right of the Eastern Africa region to produce next Chairperson of the African Union Commission in the February 2025 elections.
The decision also provides that the Northern African region will front candidates for the Deputy Chairperson while the other three regions, Central, Southern and Western will compete for the six positions of commissioners.
This move means Africa will work closely within the 14-member state Eastern Africa region to build consensus around its candidate.
Renowned Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga in February officially announced his candidacy for the Chairperson position of the African Union Commission (AUC), setting the stage for a potentially historic leadership bid.
Speaking to the media in Nairobi, the former prime minister said he is ready to serve in that position, having previously held the position of AU High Representative for Infrastructure.
“Serving as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure gave me the advantage of learning about each African country. I believe by working together, we can emancipate Africa,” Odinga said.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, on Friday, March 8 met and endorsed Raila Odinga for the Chairperson position of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Odinga also received backing from former Nigeria president and AU Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo.
“We believe that people who have held the positions of head of government like at PM level will be able to knock on the door of incumbent PMs, Presidents without much ado. Such people would probably be the right persons armed with other attributes at this particular time,” he said.
“I have no doubt in my mind that my friend (Raila) could easily be a viable candidate.”
A candidate for AU Commission chairman must be fronted by a member state, meaning President William Ruto’s administration will be spearheading Raila’s candidature.
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi described it as a major breakthrough for the East African region to present candidates for the post.
“It is now clear that Rtd Hon Raila Odinga will be in the race for the AU Commission chairperson,” he stated.
Mudavadi who lobbied for the adoption of the decision stated that it aligned with what Kenya has been pushing for.
He stated that this will remove any technical or legal hurdles in Odinga’s race for the AU Commission chairman post.
