Raila says he asked to be freed from AU role to ‘pursue other pressing and urgent matters’

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has spoken to the end of his mandate as an African Union (AU) special envoy.

This is after it emerged on Thursday that the opposition leader, who has been AU’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa since October 20, 2018, was leaving the role.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in a letter dated February 19, thanked Odinga for his service and wished him well in future. He said the African Union Development Agency - New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD) will take over the role.

“Your role in this journey, Excellency, has been invaluable. Allow me to express my profound gratitude for accepting to serve in this role during the transition period, which has now come to a happy conclusion,” the letter read in part.

In response, Odinga wrote to African Union Chairperson in a letter shared on his Twitter account, saying he asked to be relieved of his duties due to challenges to his “continued unavailability”.

“During our meeting on the sidelines of the 2nd Dakar African Infrastructure Financing Summit in Dakar, Senegal about three weeks ago, I indicated the challenges to my continued availability for the role of AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa. In that regard, I welcome your quick action that will free me to pursue other pressing and urgent matters,” he said.

He termed it an honour to have been appointed special envoy by the Union, adding that he is proud of the work he had done towards the transformation of the NEPAD Agency to African Union Development Agency-NEPAD.

“It has been a great pleasure and honour serving our continent and our people and addressing Infrastructure development,” Odinga said, “I am proud to have made a contribution to the transformation of the NEPAD Agency to African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, among other contributions during my tenure.”

“Many challenges remain, including the inaction by the continent's leadership and vested interests outside the Continent that are only too keen to keep Africa in its present condition. Hopefully, the continent will overcome these.”

In his letter, the African Union Chairperson had noted that Odinga will still remain a valuable person to the Union, telling the former prime minister “The African Union hopes to continue counting on your support for other possible assignments.”

And in response, Odinga said he will notify the Union when he might be available for other assignments.

“I will be indicating when I might be available for deployment on continental assignment as circumstances change. Wishing you all the best in the difficult role. Please, accept the assurances of my highest consideration and personal esteem,” he concluded.

Odinga’s 2018 appointment was part of the African Union’s drive to expedite the integration of the continent through infrastructure, in order to promote economic growth and sustainable development.

Under the role, Odinga was expected to mobilise further political support from AU member states and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and facilitating greater ownership by all concerned stakeholders on the continent.

It also included a focus on the continental high-speed train, which is one of the flagship projects of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063.

He in particular was tasked with paying special attention to the missing links along the transnational highway corridors identified as part of the Trans-African Highways Network, with a view to facilitating their development and modernisation.