Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
- 104 views
Raila Odinga officially announced his candidacy for the African Union Commission Chairmanship in Addis Ababa on Friday, outlining an ambitious vision for continental transformation.
The former Kenyan Prime Minister positions himself as a transformative leader capable of unlocking Africa's untapped potential ahead of the February 2025 election. During his launch address, Odinga emphasized that Africa's fragmented state has historically impeded its development. He particularly highlights infrastructure challenges, noting that while terrestrial transport networks remain underdeveloped, air transportation costs are inflated due to fragmented air traffic control systems across different nations, contrasting sharply with Europe's more integrated approach.
Odinga places significant emphasis on Africa's demographic advantage, with 70 per cent of the population under 35 years old. He argues that this youth demographic could either catalyze economic growth or burden development, depending on how effectively they are equipped with tools for wealth creation. His proposed initiatives include streamlining cross-border movement through the introduction of AU visas, similar to Europe's Schengen system. Addressing environmental challenges, Odinga characterizes Africa as a victim rather than perpetrator of climate change, citing the continent's struggle with extreme weather patterns alternating between floods and droughts.
He expresses scepticism about high-level climate conferences like COP29, describing them as largely performative events with unfulfilled financial pledges. The candidate's platform also strongly advocates for women's empowerment, acknowledging their crucial role as family breadwinners across the continent. His environmental vision positions Africa as a potential leader in conservation efforts, integrating sustainable practices with development goals. Kenya's diplomatic support was evident through the presence of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who led the national delegation.
Mudavadi emphasizes Kenya's reform agenda and Odinga's alignment with these progressive objectives. Odinga brings substantial political experience to his candidacy, having served as Kenya's Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012. Despite five unsuccessful presidential bids, he has demonstrated political adaptability by collaborating with former rivals and recently reconciling with President William Ruto. Should he succeed, Odinga would become the Commission's most senior chairperson, competing against candidates from Djibouti, Mauritius, and Madagascar.
His candidacy gains additional significance through President Ruto's position as the African Union Champion for Institutional Reform, appointed in February. This reformation initiative, launched in 2016, aims to enhance the efficiency and accountability of AU institutions. The reform agenda entails comprehensive changes to the AU Commission's structure, operations, and focus, along with its specialized agencies. Odinga's campaign aligns closely with these objectives, presenting a vision of a unified, empowered Africa. As the election approaches, his team will seek to build continental support for this transformative agenda.