Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has officially launched his election campaign to become chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission. Member states will elect Chad’s Moussa Faki Mahamat’s successor at the AU summit in February 2025. The candidate presented his vision and program to the media in Addis Ababa.
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With our correspondent in Addis Ababa, Clothilde Hazard
In a somewhat digressive speech and responses, Raila Odinga addressed the underlying themes of the program he will apply if he is elected, such as the priority to economic development, intra-African trade and the fight against global warming with a focus on the various continental transport infrastructure projects.
The champion of Pan-Africanism
The one who presents himself as the champion of Pan-Africanism also wants to strengthen the obligatory standards for member states: “ What needs to be done is to establish basic minimum standards that must be applied for a country to remain a member of the Union. There is an African peer review mechanism, but the reports emanating from the institution must be taken seriously, its recommendations implemented and democracy strengthened. »
Raila Odinga is supported in his candidacy by his political opponent, President William Ruto.
Finishing a political career with flying colors
With this position at the head of the AU commission, the five-time loser in the Kenyan presidential elections would like to end his political career with flying colors. We will still have to convince the 54 other Member States that the energy is still there, at 80 years old, to ensure a four-year mandate in this position, renewable once.
In this electoral race, Mr. Odinga has three rivals: the Djiboutian Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the Mauritian Anil Gayan and the Malagasy Richard Randriamandrato.
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