By Raila Odinga’s Pan-African Vision: Kenya’s Bid for AU Commission Chair
Kenya has officially nominated its candidate for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission, presenting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a leading choice to succeed the current chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat. The announcement was made on Friday, November 8, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Faki, a 64-year-old from Chad, will step down after the AU Commission elections in February 2025, as he has completed the two-term limit of four years each.
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, commended Odinga as a “lifelong Pan-Africanist and a distinguished global leader.” Odinga’s campaign centers on a vision for a united Africa characterized by peace, prosperity, and sustainable development. He describes his leadership style as “participatory” and focused on “the priorities of the African people.”
At 79, Odinga’s campaign agenda outlines eight core objectives for transforming Africa’s economic, political, and social landscape:
1. Economic Transformation: Odinga pledges to introduce policies aimed at job creation, poverty reduction, and improving living standards across the continent.
2. Intra-African Trade: He plans to advocate for open skies, unified visa policies, and infrastructure improvements to boost connectivity and ease trade between African nations.
3. Financial Autonomy: Odinga is committed to reforming the global financial system to secure Africa’s fair representation in international economic affairs, minimizing dependency on external influences.
4. Gender Equality: He promises to promote opportunities, dignity, and security for women and girls, addressing marginalization and discrimination.
5. Climate Advocacy: Odinga intends to amplify Africa’s role in global climate efforts, focusing on adaptation, mitigation, and resilience. He asserts that “Africans should not shoulder the burden of a crisis they did not cause.”
6. Peace and Stability: He stresses conflict prevention and resolution, working with African leaders to address the root causes of instability and build effective institutions.
7. Agricultural Advancement: Odinga aims to protect Africa’s food systems from exploitative practices, enhancing market access within the continent and promoting value addition in agriculture.
8. Continental Connectivity: He envisions world-class infrastructure in transportation, water management, and ICT to foster greater unity across Africa.
In the upcoming 2025 African Union Commission elections, Odinga will face strong competitors, including Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf (59), Mauritius’ former Foreign Affairs Minister Anil Gayan (76), and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard James. A candidate must secure at least 36 votes from the more than 50 African heads of state to win the position.
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