Mudavadi intensifies campaign for Raila’s AUC leadership bid in Addis
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged African nations to support Kenya’s candidate, Raila Odinga, for the African Union Commission chair position. Dr. Mudavadi said former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Odinga was a consummate pan-Africanist who had a track record of championing Africa’s peace and security agenda. “Raila has vast knowledge of Africa and its political dynamics. His commitment to the AUC’s transformation will shape Africa’s future,” he said.
The PCS was addressing the media on the sidelines of the AU 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of Foreign Ministers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he noted that Africa needed a resolute and a strong willed leader to navigate emerging challenges, including regional conflicts and the continent’s vulnerability to climate shocks. "There are conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Sudan, Sahel and other countries. What we need is a leader who is ready to confront these issues; Raila stands out and is ready for the task,” said Mudavadi.
He described Raila as a seasoned politician who had the experience to engage world leaders on critical issues affecting the continent. He added that Raila was ready to assume the assignment immediately after the elections on Saturday.
Mudavadi warned the continent against procrastination in choosing a new AUC chair as the continent needs immediate intervention to resolve urgent challenges. "Africa needs a decisive voice. If we do not get the chairperson of the AUC on Saturday at time when some African countries are in turmoil, we will portray a picture of being weak, confused and indecisive at a critical juncture,” he said.
The AUC chair contest pits Raila against Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. According to the election rules, there will be several rounds of voting to pick the AUC chair. Failure by the leading candidate to garner two-thirds votes could force the Summit to postpone the vote to July this year.
Mudavadi noted that the former Prime Minister is acutely aware of the challenges currently facing the continent and is ideally positioned to propose sustainable solutions for the betterment of African citizens. “Under his tenure, Raila’s agenda will be to scale up efforts to, bridge the infrastructural development gap, integration, economic transformation, enhancing intra Africa trade through African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), financial independence, agricultural transformation, climate action, peace security, youth empowerment, and gender equity,” he stated.
Mudavadi exuded confidence that Raila will emerge victorious in the Saturday polls, riding on the passionate campaign that President William Samoei Ruto, Mudavadi and Raila himself have mounted across Africa. "In the remaining days, we will continue asking for a votes. We are not taking chances and will not rest until the last vote is counted and victory given to us," said Mudavadi.
The PCS dismissed claims that the government was ferrying people to Addis Ababa in anticipation of Raila’s victory. He noted that Raila’s patriotic supporters were traveling in their own ways to give moral support to the former Prime Minister. “Hundreds of Kenyans have used their own means, included buses, to travel to Addis. This reflects a high sense of patriotism and the victory will not just be Raila’s but for Kenya as a whole,” he added. The few distractive Kenyans with negative energy against our candidate, he concluded, will be disappointed when Raila is crowned.