Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has arrived in Kenya to support the formal launch of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.
The event, taking place at State House in Nairobi, is a significant gathering of East African leaders, showing strong regional backing for Odinga’s candidacy.
The launch of Odinga’s campaign marks the beginning of his official run for the AUC chairperson position, ahead of the February 2025 elections to replace the outgoing chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
Hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto, the event has attracted high-profile attendance from various East African Community (EAC) leaders.
These include EAC Chairman and South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Rwandan State Minister for Foreign Affairs James Kabarebe.
Burundi’s Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca is also in attendance, further emphasizing the widespread support within the EAC for Odinga’s bid.
The presence of influential former African leaders such as Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria underscores the continental support for Odinga’s campaign.
Odinga’s bid for the AUC chairmanship comes at a time when regional and continental solidarity is being promoted as essential for the stability and prosperity of Africa.
Their involvement signals the broader interest and backing from various quarters of the African continent for a united leadership front.
If successful, Odinga would be expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the AU’s policies and strategies over the coming years.
