Raila Inches Closer To AU Commission Top Job After Landmark Decision In Addis
The candidature of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the Chairperson position of the African Union Commission (AUC) was significantly enhanced on Friday when a pivotal decision was rendered at the organization’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This occurred after the AU Executive Council unanimously decided on Friday that the Eastern Africa region should now submit candidates for the AUC’s highest position.
Musalia Mudavadi, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya, delivered the statement from Addis during the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the African Union.
“This is a major breakthrough for the Eastern Africa region to present candidates for the position of Chairperson of the AUC,” said Mudavadi.
Mudavadi, who during the session of the AU Executive Council actively advocated for the decision’s ratification, stated that the decision is consistent with Kenya’s position.
Additionally, he stated that the decision is in compliance with the Assembly of Heads of State and Government decisions, the Statute of the AU Commission, and the Rules of Procedure of the African Union policy organs.
“It is now clear that Raila Odinga will be in the race for the AU Commission Chairperson. Effectively, there are no more technical or legal hurdles preventing Kenya from submitting its candidate,” he stated.
Additionally, the decision stipulates that the Deputy Chairperson will be nominated from the Northern Africa region, whereas the remaining three regions—Central, Southern, and Western—will vie for the six commissioner positions.
Mudavadi stated that Kenya will collaborate closely with the fourteen member states of Eastern Africa to achieve consensus regarding its candidate.
He declared that these endeavours are continuous and shall persist in encompassing all other regions in order to guarantee that the platform for uniting the entire continent is provided by the opportunity to elect effective leadership of the AUC.
Voting will commence for the position of AU Commission Chairperson in February 2025.
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Raila Inches Closer To AU Commission Top Job After Landmark Decision In Addis
