Boost for Raila's AU seat quest as Mauritius backs him, rival quits

Raila Odinga’s quest to be the next African Union Commission chairperson is getting clearer by the day with 25 member countries having pledged to support Kenya’s candidature

The government’s campaign team, led by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, has reported good progress in convincing seven other African countries to support the country’s quest. This will increase Kenya’s numbers to 32 out of the 48 Heads of State that will vote in February.

According to the Africa Union rules governing the election, the successful candidate needs two thirds of the votes cast which this season is 32 since only 48 countries are eligible to vote.

President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi have been engaging in a charm offensive across the continent to boost Raila’s own campaign efforts.

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Vincent Meriton, who is former Seychelles Vice President, announced his withdrawal from the race and voiced his support for Raila on Saturday.

“Raila Odinga’s experience is what the Continent needs as he traverses far and wide to spread his Pan Africanism message of peace, security and prosperity for all citizens, as the continent asserts its role in global geopolitics we need a new leadership that inspires passion and enthusiasm and he fits the bill to lead the AU Commission towards achieving this,” said Meriton. 

Speaking to The Standard last week, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei expressed confidence in Raila’s victory.

“He is the front-runner in the race. He understands the socioeconomic and political nature of the continent and has a good rapport with various African leaders,” he said and added: “His track record speaks for itself.  He has a good plan for Africa. It evident that he will win,”

Singoei said President Ruto’s administration will “do what is within their means” to secure the seat. 

Raila, who has been on a whirlwind tour of West African countries in the last 10 days, thanked Meriton for his sacrifice and pledge to support him saying this shows that most African countries have confidence in his candidature to take over the leadership of the continental body whose headquarters are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

During Raila’s West African campaign tour, he met Ivory Coast President Alassane Quattara, Ghana President Nana Akuffo Addo, Togo President Faure Gnassingbe, Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Gambia Vice President Muhammad Jallow and Benin Foreign Affairs Minister Olushegun Bakari.

“I have visited Ghana, Senegal, Togo, Ivory Coast, Gambia and Benin in the last 10 days where I took my campaign for the African Union Commission Chairmanship. I met Heads of State of the countries sharing with them my vision on how to build a united, peaceful and prosperous Africa,” said Raila.

While unveiling his vision and priorities for the continent in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, early last month, Raila said he envisions an Africa that is united, prosperous, competitive, peaceful, revered and influential in the global arena and a continent where industries flourish, cities connected through high-speed rail, fiber optic cables and data connectivity.

The former Prime Minister said his experience as the Africa Union High Commissioner for Infrastructural Development prepared him adequately for the challenge. He said there was need to expand communication and development across the continent and that he looked forward to a time where one would not need a visa to travel in the continent.

In August, President Ruto hosted Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, Tanzania President Samia Suluhu, South Sudan President Salva Kiir, former Presidents Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) and Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria) during the official launch for Raila AUC chairperson bid at State House Nairobi.

Ruto said Raila’s candidacy represents Eastern Africa’s readiness to contribute to African Union Commission leadership through the principle of inter-regional rotation vouching for him as the best person to lead the commission.

Heads of State of 48 African Countries will decide whether Raila will take over as AUC chairperson with seven African countries that have had coups in the recent past suspended from taking part in the vote that will determine Moussa Faki Mahamat’s successor.

Raila will now face Mahamoud Youssouf (Djibouti) who is considered his main challenger, and Richard Randrianmandato (Madagascar) following the withdrawal from the race of Fawzia Yusuf (Somalia) and Meriton (Seychelles).