President Kagame endorses Raila Odinga’s bid for AU job
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has given his official support to Raila Odinga’s candidature for the position of chairperson of the African Union Commission.
President Kagame has expressed his endorsement of Mr Odinga’s candidature, stating his desire for the Kenyan opposition leader to secure the position.
The support follows a recent meeting between the leader of Azimio la Umoja and the president of Rwanda in Kigali.
“It’s no secret. I told him Rwanda would support him. I wish him well,” President Kagame said.
“Not only will we support him to be there, but also when he is there, we will support him for Africa to succeed,” President Kagame added.
The Rwandan Head of State also commended Mr Odinga for his exemplary performance as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development.
“He (Mr Odinga) did a good job at that. He had a full grasp of it,” President Kagame said.
On February 15, 2024, in Nairobi, Mr. Odinga officially announced his bid for the office and received immediate endorsement from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The ex-Nigerian Head of State remarked that it is currently opportune for an individual from Eastern Africa to assume the leadership of the AU Commission, and he holds the belief that Mr. Odinga is a suitable contender.
Subsequently, Mr. Odinga has obtained the endorsement of President William Ruto, his opponent in the 2022 presidential race.
Notably, recently the two leaders have set aside their political disagreements, with President Ruto mobilising Members of Parliament from his ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance to back Mr Odinga’s candidature.
Insiders report that a clandestine gathering took place at Museveni’s Kisozi property, where the three leaders engaged in discussions over Mr Odinga’s candidature for the AU position.
President Ruto and Mr Odinga have formed a campaign committee to gather support from neighbouring countries for Mr Odinga’s candidature.
Mr. Odinga is expected to depend on his connections inside the continental organisation, since he previously held the position of AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa from 2018 to February of last year, when his mandate ended in a controversial manner.
The African Union Commission chairperson is the highest-ranking official within the continental bloc. This position is frequently mistaken for the African Union chairperson, which is a yearly ceremonial function that rotates among presidents of state and governments.
The chairperson of the AU Commission, whose mandate can be renewed once, has a role that is comparable to that of a chief executive officer of the AU Secretariat. The individual who occupies the position is elected on a quadrennial basis.
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President Kagame endorses Raila Odinga’s bid for AU job
