Raila's AU Ambitions Take Center Stage at UN Assembly

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga intensified his campaign for the position of African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

As part of the Kenyan delegation led by President William Ruto, Odinga is capitalizing on this international platform to engage with heads of state and influential foreign leaders, aiming to garner support beyond East Africa. Having already secured backing from East African nations including Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan, Odinga is now focusing on expanding his support base across the continent. A significant step in this direction was a meeting with Senegalese President Diomaye Faye, facilitated by President Ruto. The discussions centered on strengthening bilateral ties and soliciting support for Odinga's candidacy in the upcoming AUC elections scheduled for February 2025.

During these high-level talks, Odinga articulated his vision for continental unity and development. Sources close to the discussions reveal that he emphasized his commitment to addressing critical issues such as climate change, economic recovery, and regional security. Odinga's extensive political experience and established relationships across Africa position him as a strong contender for the AUC chairperson role. The African continent is divided into five regions: Eastern, Northern, Central, Southern, and Western Africa. While Odinga enjoys robust support in East Africa, the Kenyan strategy now aims to establish a foothold in other regions. The UNGA provides a crucial platform for Odinga to engage with leaders from these areas and build necessary alliances.

As part of their campaign strategy, President Ruto and Odinga have scheduled numerous meetings with heads of state and diplomatic leaders attending the UNGA. These engagements are integral to securing widespread support for Odinga's candidacy. Odinga's campaign efforts extend beyond the UNGA. Last month, he accompanied President Ruto to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing where they met with several African leaders to promote his candidacy. Among the leaders they engaged were Rwanda's Paul Kagame, Guinea Bissau's Umaro Sissoco, Mali's Asimi Goita, Togo's Faure Essozimna, Chad's Mahamat Idriss, and Zambia's Hakainde Hichilema.

The campaign team, led by former Kenyan Ambassador to the US Elkana Odembo, has been instrumental in coordinating these efforts and ensuring that Odinga maximizes every opportunity to secure endorsements. They are leveraging his long-standing relationships with influential leaders and organizations to bolster his candidacy. The AUC chairperson election is a highly competitive race, with candidates from various regions vying for the position. Odinga's main opponent is Djibouti's Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf, with other contenders including Anil Gayan from Mauritius and Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar.