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The 79-year veteran Kenyan politician Raila Odinga has stood for president five times and failed to win has turned his sights on the top job at the African Union. He faces three strong competitors, from Djibouti, Mauritius, and Madagascar, in his bid to be elected Chairperson of the Commission.
The vote for a successor to Chad’s Moussa Faki Mahamat will take place by secret ballot at the AU summit in February. Odinga has, however, won what some may see as a surprising supporter. Incumbent Kenyan President William Ruto, who narrowly defeated Odinga in the 2022 election, has backed his rival’s campaign.
Kenya formally launched Odinga’s candidature, presenting him as the complete package needed to tackle Africa’s conflicts and economy. Ruto is banking on Odinga to push through Nairobi’s proposed reforms to make AU institutions more accountable, efficient, and effective. Odinga highlighted his priorities for the organization if elected, such as focusing on economic development, enhancing intra-African trade, and tackling climate change, with particular attention to large-scale continental infrastructure projects.
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He must now convince the AU’s 54 member states of his candidature and ability to take on a four-year term. If Odinga wins, he will become the oldest chairperson of the Commission.
