Windhoek: Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga paid a courtesy call on Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba on Wednesday to seek support for his bid to become chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission. President Mbumba warmly welcomed Odinga and his delegation at State House in Windhoek before holding a closed-door meeting.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the prominent Kenyan politician is conducting a charm offensive across the continent, campaigning for the AU’s top post in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Speaking to the media after meeting President Mbumba, Odinga highlighted the importance of utilising Africa’s natural and human resources, particularly its youth. He emphasised the need to prioritise issues affecting young people across the continent. ‘Africa is the youngest continent, with 70 per cent of the population under 35. How do you deal with these youths?’ he said.
Odinga noted that, despite Africa achieving unity, the continent remains fragmented in terms of trade and travel. ‘Travelling on the continent is a nightmare,’ he said, adding that he would push to increase intra-African trade, including developing an intercontinental rail network to open up Africa’s interior. The Kenyan government submitted Odinga’s candidature for the chairperson of the AU Commission in July 2024.
Odinga served as Kenya’s prime minister from 2008 to 2013 and has been active in various government positions and as an opposition political leader since the early 1990s. The new chairperson and deputy chairperson will be elected at the 38th Summit of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa in February 2025.
Mahmoud Ali Youssou, the Foreign Minister of Djibouti, and Richard James Randriamandrato, the former Foreign Minister of Madagascar, are also vying for the AU’s top position. In accordance with the AU’s rotational system, only candidates from the East African region are eligible to compete for the position of chairperson of the AU Commission, while candidates from the northern region are eligible for the position of deputy chairperson. The outgoing AU chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat from Chad, has led the commission since March 2017.