ODM party leader Raila Odinga has expressed his readiness to vie for the chairmanship of the African Union, outlining his reasons for believing he is the ideal candidate for the position.
Speaking in Karen on Thursday, Raila articulated his willingness to accept the challenge and offer his services to the continent of Africa. He revealed that he had consulted extensively with friends and allies regarding his potential candidacy, highlighting former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo as one of his closest confidants.
Raila emphasized his belief that Africa deserves better leadership, stating, “Africa is playing in a league that it should not play in, and it deserves better.”
The Azimio principal further underscored Africa’s significance as the cradle of the human species and highlighted his experience serving as a high representative in the AU, which provided him with invaluable insights into the continent’s diverse countries and their comparative advantages.
Raila aims to succeed Moussa Faki of Chad as the new AU Commission chairperson. However, any candidate for this position must be endorsed by member states, necessitating support from the Kenyan government, particularly President William Ruto’s administration.
Such support would signify a significant political shift and potentially impact the country’s political landscape, akin to a “handshake” moment.
It’s worth noting that AU Commission chairpersons are required to maintain neutrality in political contests across the continent and play a pivotal role in major international events, including elections, conflicts, and development initiatives, both within Africa and globally.
Raila’s potential candidacy for the AU chairmanship would require official endorsement from his former ally turned critic, Musalia Mudavadi, as per the established procedure for nomination and support mobilization.
