Raila Odinga unveils vision for AUC chairmanship at Addis event

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday unveiled his vision and priorities for the African Union Commission (AUC) position, formally kicking off his journey to the February polls.

Raila, introduced on stage by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi at an event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday, now has less than three months to sway countries in his favour.

The former premier described himself as a “lifelong servant of Africa” and highlighted his pan-African background, which he said had been instilled in him by his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

He laid out his vision for a new Africa, challenging the continent to dream about the possibilities that would arise from a united and more connected Africa.

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“African unity is sacred to me. We must return unity to the top of our priorities. Without unity in a fast-consolidating and changing world, Africa will continue to be marginalised, exploited, and irrelevant,” said Raila, adding that the continent’s progress must be driven by Africans as he outlined his economic transformation plan. He said the continent had all the “tools needed to succeed” and advocated for the enhancement of Africa’s infrastructure, investment in energy, internet connectivity, and an open skies policy.

“There are barriers. Each country has its own air traffic control, making air transport so expensive in Africa. It is more expensive than Europe, which has one air traffic control,” said the former premier. “These are the low-hanging fruits that we can harvest without a problem.”

Raila has previously highlighted his four-point agenda, which includes spurring economic transformation across the continent, enhancing intra-Africa trade, securing financial independence, and promoting gender equality.

Mudavadi described Raila as having a “complete leadership package,” saying he had what it takes to transform the continental body into one that serves Africans and cultivates mutually beneficial partnerships.

“Raila Odinga has the inherent capability to amplify the voice and bargaining power of our continent. He has always offered his peacemaking skills for national and regional peace and security initiatives. Notably, Raila’s strategic patience has fortified him as a peacemaker who has often foregone personal interests to achieve national and regional unity and stability,” Mudavadi said at the event.

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He also highlighted Raila’s previous experience as the African Union’s High Representative on Infrastructure Development in Africa from 2018 to 2023, saying the former premier had mobilised the continent’s leaders and other partners to scale up efforts to bridge Africa’s infrastructure gap.

Back home, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said Raila was the best candidate for the AUC position, touting his experience in key public sector leadership roles.“As ODM secretary-general, I wish Baba the best in his quest to be AUC chair. I am confident that he is more than qualified for the role and that the AUC will benefit immensely from his vast experience, knowledge, and understanding of African affairs,” said Sifuna.

Dismas Mokua, a political risk analyst who sits on Raila’s team of strategists, said Raila’s networks would be crucial as he seeks the continental post.

“Raila has a first-name relationship with a good number of AUC electors. He has a unique opportunity to translate these relationships into electoral votes,” said Mokua.

In August, President William Ruto unveiled Raila as Kenya’s candidate at a State House event attended by neighbouring Heads of State.

The former premier faces three other Eastern African candidates: Mahamoud Ali Youssouf (Djibouti), Richard Mahitson Randriamandrato (Madagascar), and Anil Gayan (Mauritius). Youssouf, Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs minister, is seen as the strongest challenger to Raila. He needs votes from 32 out of the 48 eligible African nations to secure a first-round win in the race to succeed outgoing chair Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad, who has served two four-year terms.

The opposition veteran has secured the support of East African nations and is believed to have the backing of more than 25 countries. Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema is the latest to endorse Raila, after a meeting with Ruto in Bujumbura, Burundi, last week.

In March, the African Union Executive Council agreed that the Eastern Africa region would submit candidates for the AU chairperson post, and Ruto has been pushing for the region to back a single candidate.

The council also agreed that the deputy AUC chairperson should be a Muslim woman from the northern part of the continent—a factor that could hurt the Djibouti candidate’s chances, since he also comes from the Muslim North.