Kenya's Raila Odinga announces bid to succeed AU boss Faki

Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has announced his bid to succeed outgoing African Union Commission (AUC) chairman Moussa Faki, whose tenure ends in 2025, after serving two consecutive terms of four years.

Odinga, fresh from losing his 5th bid for the presidency in Kenya, made his intentions known on Thursday at his Karen home in Nairobi, in the company of his friend and political comrade Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria.

"I have been consulting widely. I think if am ready to serve the continent of Africa. Africa deserves better," Odinga said in a statement that effectively impacts Kenya's political landscape. “If we marshal our resources as a continent, pull in one direction, then we can be able to make Africa greater”

His bid comes after months of speculations, with insiders revealing that he has the blessing of his political nemesis, President William Ruto, who won narrowly against him in the 2022 presidential elections. The two were separated by a negligible percentage of votes cast.

“I am ready to go for the championship of the African Union," Odinga said, adding that his vast experience on matters of governance will significantly impact the African continent, which he insists 'lives way behind its potential '.

Obasanjo, who also serves as AU envoy for the Horn of Africa, said Mr. Odinga was suitable for the post given that he previously served as a Prime Minister in Kenya. He urged the East African community to support his bid.

“People who have held the position of head of government either as President or PM are most suitable for this job. Looking at it critically, it is the turn of East Africa” Obasanjo

“I do not doubt that my friend who is standing next to me (Hon. Odinga) is the right person to take over the mantle. If the EAC region backs him, I believe the rest of the continent will support him."

In 2017, Kenya fielded Amina Mohamed for the post but she narrowly lost to Moussa Faki, a former Prime Minister of Chad, who successfully defended the seat. Faki is set for retirement at a time when Africa is battling terrorism, internal conflicts, and governance challenges, especially in the Horn of Africa.

Multiple sources hint President William Ruto will likely back Odinga at the expense of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is said to be silently eyeing the seat. Uhuru is the EAC Nairobi-Led Peace Accord on the stability of DR Congo.

Before landing this lucrative and involving post, Uhuru was a key negotiator in the Tifray peace deal which effectively ended fighting in Northern Ethiopia. He supported Raila Odinga's bid in 2022, at the expense of William Ruto.

Although not many interests have propped up, Somalia, the newest member of the East Africa Community, is supporting Dr. Fawzia Yusuf for the post. Mr. Odinga has wide global connections including close friendship with South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, Tanzania's Samia Suluhu, and many other presidents globally.

GAROWE ONLINE