Kenya’s former Prime Minister and opposition leader, Raila Odinga, officially announced his candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship on Tuesday. During a state ceremony in Nairobi, attended by regional leaders from across Africa, Odinga outlined his vision for a more people-centred African Union, committed to making the organisation’s benefits tangible to all Africans.
The election for the AUC chairperson and seven other key positions will take place during the African Union Summit in February 2025. The chairperson, who serves a four-year term with the possibility of one renewal, plays a critical role in steering the continent’s agenda.
‘My selection as Kenya’s candidate is not just a personal ambition, but a collective African journey to serve our motherland. I plan to form a leadership team with a continental perspective,’ Odinga declared. He emphasised his dream of a united Africa, where borders and colonial languages no longer divide its people. ‘Africans must stand united, with resilience and hope for a bright future, especially for our youth,’ he added.
Commitment to transformation
Odinga pledged to work closely with heads of state from across the continent to ensure that the African Union’s policies and actions have a direct, positive impact on the daily lives of African citizens. He stressed the need for the AU to evolve from a high-level bureaucratic entity into one whose influence is felt at the grassroots level.
‘To achieve this, the AU must adopt a more inclusive approach that prioritizes the needs and aspirations of Africans,’ Odinga said. His campaign highlights a commitment to collaboration, with a focus on ensuring that the bloc’s efforts are grounded in the real-world experiences of the people it represents.
Political analysts see Odinga’s bid as a potential catalyst for change within the African Union, noting his long-standing advocacy for democratic governance and social equity. ‘Raila Odinga’s approach could bring a significant shift in how the AU engages with its citizens,’ Simon Mukhwana, a Nairobi-based political analyst, told Anadolu news agency. ‘His promise to make the AU more people-centred is ambitious, but the real challenge will be turning these commitments into actions that positively impact the daily lives of Africans.’
Mukhwana also highlighted Odinga’s leadership style, which emphasises dialogue and consensus-building, as a potential game-changer in the AU’s interaction with the people it serves.
Growing support
Odinga is one of several candidates in the race for the AUC chairmanship, alongside Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, Anil Gayan of Mauritius, and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
Kenya has garnered significant support for Odinga’s candidacy, thanks in part to diplomatic efforts led by President William Ruto. As of now, Kenya has received endorsements from 19 African countries.
As the election approaches, all eyes are on how Odinga’s vision for a more inclusive and impactful African Union will resonate across the continent. His campaign promises to transform the AU into an organization that not only represents Africa on the global stage but also makes a meaningful difference in the lives of its people.
ThePress
