With only a few days remaining before the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson election, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has intensified efforts to rally support for Kenya’s candidate, Raila Odinga. Speaking on the sidelines of the AU’s 46th Session of the Executive Council of Foreign Ministers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mudavadi emphasized that Raila’s leadership is essential for the continent’s stability and development.
Mudavadi described Raila as a seasoned pan-Africanist with the necessary experience to steer Africa towards economic growth, conflict resolution, and infrastructural development. He underscored the urgent need for decisive leadership amid conflicts in regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Sudan.
“Africa requires a resolute and strong-willed leader at this time of turmoil. Raila stands out as the best candidate to address these pressing issues,” Mudavadi said.
With the election set for Saturday, the Kenyan government, led by President William Ruto, Mudavadi, and other officials, has been actively lobbying African nations to back Raila’s candidacy. According to Mudavadi, Kenya is not taking any chances and will continue engaging with delegates until the last vote is counted.
“If we do not get the chairperson of the AUC on Saturday, we risk portraying Africa as weak and indecisive at a critical juncture. We need a leader with the ability to provide a decisive voice,” he warned.
Raila is up against two other candidates: Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. The election rules stipulate that multiple rounds of voting may be required, with the final candidate needing a two-thirds majority to secure the position. If this threshold is not met, the election could be postponed until July.
Mudavadi highlighted Raila’s comprehensive agenda for Africa, which includes bridging the infrastructural gap, enhancing intra-Africa trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ensuring financial independence, promoting agricultural transformation, addressing climate change, and fostering youth empowerment and gender equality.
Dismissing claims that the Kenyan government was sponsoring delegations to Addis Ababa, Mudavadi noted that patriotic citizens were traveling independently to show their support. He reiterated that Raila’s victory would not be personal but a triumph for Kenya as a whole.
As the continent watches closely, Mudavadi remains optimistic that Raila will emerge victorious, positioning Kenya at the center of Africa’s leadership and development agenda.
