Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is currently in the midst of an intense campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson position, having embarked on a charm offensive across Southern African nations. This marks the fourth day of Raila’s regional tour, which is focused on garnering support from countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). His most recent stop was in Mozambique, where he met with newly sworn-in President Daniel Francisco Chapo in Maputo.
Raila’s visit to Mozambique is seen as a crucial leg in his bid to become the next AUC Chairperson. The Kenyan politician is seeking to bolster his chances by securing endorsements from influential African leaders ahead of next month’s election in Addis Ababa. “Thank you Mr. President for the opportunity to share with you my vision for Africa and my quest to be the AUC Chairperson. Obrigado!” Raila tweeted after meeting President Chapo, underscoring his commitment to strengthening ties with key African leaders.
Before arriving in Mozambique, Raila had visited several other SADC countries, including South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Botswana. These visits are part of a broader strategy to expand his support base, with a particular focus on the strategic SADC bloc. His diplomatic outreach also included a meeting with Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a significant move given Zimbabwe’s influence within the Southern African region. Raila has also held talks with Lesotho’s Prime Minister Sam Matekane, expressing his vision for Africa’s future and his commitment to addressing the continent’s challenges if elected to the AUC chair.
Raila is facing stiff competition in the race for the AUC Chairperson position, with Djibouti’s Mahamoud Youssouf emerging as his main rival. Youssouf has already secured backing from the Arab League, which includes 27 states, giving him a solid foundation in the upcoming election. In contrast, Raila’s campaign appears to be moving at a faster pace, with less than 10 endorsements currently in his corner. His team, however, remains optimistic that Raila’s extensive network and experience in African diplomacy will help him gain crucial votes from across the continent.
As Raila races against time to secure more endorsements, his campaign has entered a final sprint in the last month leading up to the AUC elections. His commitment to engaging with African leaders is evident in his recent travel schedule, leaving no capital unvisited as he seeks to make history by becoming the AUC Chairperson. With the elections just around the corner, Raila’s campaign will likely see even more high-profile meetings and diplomacy in the coming weeks.
