Raila inches closer to AU Commission top job as landmark decision is made in Addis

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson seat has received a major boost after a game-changing decision was on Friday made at the body’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This after the AU Executive Council on Friday unanimously adopted a critical decision that it is the turn of the Eastern Africa region to submit candidates for the AUC top position.

The announcement was made by Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, who is in Addis for the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the AU’s Executive Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers.

“This is a major breakthrough for the Eastern Africa region to present candidates for the position of Chairperson of the AUC,” said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi, who actively lobbied for adoption of the decision during the session of the AU Executive Council, said the decision aligns with what Kenya has been pushing for.

He also noted that the decision is in accordance with the Statute of the AU Commission, the Rules of Procedure of the African Union policy organs and the decisions of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

“It is now clear that Raila Odinga will be in the race for the AU Commission Chairperson. Effectively, there are no more technical or legal hurdles preventing Kenya from submitting its candidate,” he stated.

The decision also provides that the Northern Africa region will front candidates for the Deputy Chairperson while the other three regions, Central, Southern and Western, will compete for the six positions of commissioners.

Mudavadi said Kenya will work closely within the 14 member-state Eastern Africa region to build consensus around its candidate.

He stated that these efforts are ongoing and will continue to include all the other regions to ensure that the opportunity for electing effective leadership of the AUC provides a platform for uniting the entire continent.

The elections for the AU Commission Chairperson's seat will be held in February 2025.