Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is ramping up his campaign for the position of African Union Commission chairperson during his attendance at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Odinga is part of the delegation accompanying President William Ruto at the high-profile meeting.
As part of a strategic initiative to garner support from various heads of state across the continent, Odinga has already secured backing from several East African nations, including Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan.
His presence at UNGA serves to further leverage opportunities for engagement with leaders from other regions of Africa.
On Monday, President Ruto and Odinga held talks with Senegalese President Diomaye Faye, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and seeking support for Odinga’s candidacy ahead of the elections scheduled for February 2025.
“We will deepen our ties with Senegal to advance shared goals in peace, development, and continental integration,” Odinga stated.
Sources indicate that Odinga highlighted his vision for continental unity and development during the discussions, addressing pressing issues such as climate change, economic recovery, and regional security.
Africa is divided into five regions: Eastern, Northern, Central, Southern, and Western Africa, and Kenya aims to solidify its presence in these regions.
Odinga’s extensive political experience and established relationships throughout the continent enhance his candidacy for the AU Commission chairperson role.
His strategic networking at UNGA underscores the collaborative efforts needed to achieve Africa’s goals.
Ruto and Odinga have scheduled multiple meetings with other heads of state and diplomatic leaders throughout the assembly.
Language diversity also plays a crucial role in the voting process for the AU position, with 21 Francophone and 24 English-speaking nations in Africa.
Djibouti’s primary languages include French and Somali.
Odinga has a history of accompanying President Ruto on international engagements, further showcasing their alliance.
Earlier this month, he was part of the delegation to China for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and visited Germany last week.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei and former Kenyan Ambassador to the United States Elkana Odembo, who are spearheading Odinga’s campaign, assured that the government would utilize all available resources to support his bid for the AU chairperson position.
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