President Paul Kagame, on Friday, March 8 met with Raila Odinga, a top Kenyan politician who is currently vying for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC). The meeting took place in Rwanda. According to a statement posted on the official X account of President Kagame’s office, the two leaders exchanged “on various issues of regional and continental interest.” In February, Odinga, 79, announced his candidacy for the Chairperson position of the AUC, vowing that he is prepared to offer himself to serve the continent. In a press conference he held to announce his candidature, he cited his tenure as the AU special envoy for infrastructure development in Africa from 2018 to 2023, as he emphasised his qualifications for the position. ALSO READ: Ruto: EAC to back one candidate for AUC top job Among other things, he voiced his discontent with the plight of African youth forced to seek opportunities abroad due to challenging economic conditions. He pledged to leverage his leadership to transform Africa’s fortunes and position the continent as an economic powerhouse. “As a Pan-Africanist, I firmly believe that Africa should aspire for more. We deserve better. We must reverse this trend and harness all our resources for the accelerated socio-economic growth of our continent,” he noted. So far, Odinga has been endorsed by various current and former presidents for the position. They include William Ruto of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria. The AUC chairperson position is set to become vacant next year, with the incumbent, Chad's Moussa Faki, concluding his two-term tenure. The chairperson serves as the chief executive officer and legal representative of the AU, overseeing administrative and financial matters, promoting the AU's objectives, and engaging with stakeholders. Meanwhile, former Somalia foreign affairs minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam will also contend for the AUC Chairmanship. “I have a deep passion for Africa and a strong desire to contribute to the continent’s development and progress,” she told Kenya’s The Nation in February. “By running for the chairperson of the AU, I aim to strengthen the bonds between African countries and work towards a more united and integrated continent,” she added.
