Raila Odinga's AUC Chairmanship Bid Enters Critical Stage

Raila Odinga's candidature for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship has made progress with the posting of his credentials. 

On Friday, 26th July, Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei announced the submission of Raila's resumé and his vision for the continent as he seeks to succeed Moussa Faki in Addis Ababa.

The vote is set to be held in February 2025.

Spearheading Raila's bid has been Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also heads the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Ministry.

In June this year, the state announced putting together a secretariat charged with selling Raila's bid ahead of the vote.

The secretariat would prepare all the briefs for use by the candidate, develop campaign materials, including digital presence, and prepare for the public debate among the candidates.

Raila's vision and resumé have been presented in all the languages spoken in the continent; Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, French, English, and Kiswahili.

According to the African Union, the AUC chairman is the continental body's Chief Executive Officer, legal representative of the AU and the Commission’s Chief Accounting Officer. 

The chairperson is elected by the AU General Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once.

The position holder's functions, include: overall responsibility for the Commission’s administration and finances; Promoting and popularising the AU’s objectives and enhancing its performance; Consulting and coordinating with key stakeholders like Member States, Development Partners, RECs, etc; Appointing and managing Commission staff; Acting as a depository for all AU and OAU treaties and legal instruments.

Raila's bid has so far been supported by over eight heads of state, including Kenya's William Ruto, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame of Rwanda.