Raila Odinga Leads Race for African Union Commission Chairperson Ahead of 2025 Election - AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

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Monday, February 3, 2025

Raila Odinga Leads Race for African Union Commission Chairperson Ahead of 2025 Election

Kenyan statesman and veteran politician Raila Odinga has emerged as the leading contender for the African Union Commission Chairperson position. With endorsements from over 25 African nations, Odinga’s strategic diplomacy and coalition-building efforts could secure a historic victory in the February 2025 election. His campaign has garnered significant momentum, making him the front-runner in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested election.

Stiff Competition and Diplomatic Efforts

Despite his strong lead, Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission Chairperson bid faces competition from Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and former Madagascar Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato. Both contenders have mounted campaigns within their respective regions, with Youssouf securing backing from the Arab League’s 27 states. However, Odinga’s ability to build alliances across multiple regional economic blocs has given him a strategic edge.

A recent survey by Pan African Forum (UK) Ltd placed Odinga at 52% support, but to secure the AU Chairperson seat, he must win either by consensus or by securing a two-thirds majority of the 55 African heads of state. His diplomatic outreach continues as he crisscrosses the continent to consolidate support, underscoring the importance of every single vote.

Growing Support for Odinga’s Candidature

Raila Odinga’s quest to be the next African Union Commission Chairperson is getting clearer by the day with 25 member countries having pledged to support Kenya’s candidature. The government’s campaign team, led by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, has reported progress in convincing seven other African countries to support the country’s quest. This will increase Kenya’s numbers to 32 out of the 48 Heads of State that will vote in February.

According to the Africa Union rules governing the election, the successful candidate needs two-thirds of the votes cast, which this season is 32 since only 48 countries are eligible to vote.

Building a Continental Coalition

Starting at Home: The East African Community (EAC)

Odinga’s campaign began within the East African Community (EAC), where Kenya, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda have pledged their support. This seven-nation bloc provides a strong foundation for Odinga’s pan-African leadership ambitions.

IGAD Endorsements

In December 2024, Odinga extended his campaign to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region, securing the support of Eritrea despite IGAD also fielding a candidate in Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf. With Uganda and South Sudan already backing him under EAC, Odinga has established a strong foothold in East Africa.

Gaining Ground in SADC

Early 2025 saw Odinga focusing on the Southern African Development Community (SADC), where he visited Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, and Mozambique within ten days. South Africa’s endorsement, in particular, has been a diplomatic milestone in his AU leadership bid. With Zambia and Angola also backing him, Odinga’s influence in SADC is solidifying.

ECOWAS and West African Support

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been another crucial battleground. Odinga has secured backing from Togo, Nigeria, The Gambia, Senegal, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire. Analysts highlight ECOWAS’s considerable influence within the African Union, making these endorsements a diplomatic triumph.

COMESA and North Africa Engagement

Odinga’s outreach extends to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), where 10 member states have thrown their weight behind him. Additionally, his diplomatic visits to Tunisia, Algeria, and Mauritania aim to consolidate crucial votes in North Africa, reinforcing his continental coalition.

A Proven Pan-African Champion

Odinga’s extensive political résumé strengthens his campaign. As Kenya’s Prime Minister (2008–2013), he guided the country through a power-sharing agreement while driving national unity and economic reforms. From 2018 to 2023, he served as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development, where he championed cross-border projects to boost regional trade. These initiatives have cemented his pan-African leadership credentials.

Agenda 2063 and the Road Ahead

At the core of Odinga’s platform is a vision aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063, focusing on: • Economic integration and expansion of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) • Infrastructure development for enhanced connectivity • Conflict resolution and strengthened continental security frameworks

Although Odinga’s expanding coalition places him as the clear front-runner, the February 2025 election remains unpredictable. With the two-thirds majority threshold in mind, his final weeks will focus on diplomatic maneuvering and securing political consensus. The world is now watching to see whether Odinga’s pan-African vision will propel him to victory and usher in a new era of transformative AU leadership.

#Raila Odinga# African Union Commission #AUC Chairperson election  #African politics #AU leadership #diplomatic endorsements #Africa 2025  #pan-African leadership #continental coalition #African Union Agenda 2063.

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