Raila Ends AUC Campaign Trail, Lands in Ethiopian Capital

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has concluded his campaign for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC), arriving in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ahead of the crucial election scheduled for Saturday.

His final campaign event was held in Bujumbura, Burundi, where he engaged with President Évariste Ndayishimiye. In a social media post reflecting on his campaign, Raila expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received and thanked his supporters for their steadfast backing. Upon his arrival in Addis Ababa, Raila joined a prominent delegation from Kenya led by Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.

The presence of this high-profile delegation signifies the importance of the AUC chairmanship to Kenya's strategic interests. Mudavadi has refuted claims that the delegation's expenses were covered by public funds, asserting that they were self-sponsored. On Wednesday evening, a pivotal strategy meeting was convened at the Kenya Mission in Addis Ababa, chaired by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei.

This meeting was focused on final preparations and mobilizing support as the election approaches. Sing’oei highlighted the significance of the upcoming AU Heads of State Summit, where critical decisions regarding the commission’s future will be made. As the election nears, an influx of Kenyan politicians, including members of parliament, governors, and senior government officials, are expected to arrive in Addis Ababa to support Raila's candidacy, reflecting the national interest in the electoral outcome.

In the forthcoming AUC elections, Raila faces competition from Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, and Richard Randriamandrato, Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister. The election process will involve the voting of African heads of state and government to determine the next chairperson of the AUC.