Raila intensifies AUC chair campaign in Mauritius

Kenya's candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson, Raila Odinga, has arrived in Mauritius, where he was received by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam.

Mauritius recently withdrew its bid for the AUC top seat in favour of Odinga's candidacy.

Odinga, who is vying against two other contenders for the position, expressed gratitude for the endorsement from the island nation.

"Thank you, Hon. Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius, for hosting me and for your unequivocal support towards my candidature for the African Union Commission Chairperson," Odinga stated in a post on his X account.

Mauritius officially withdrew the candidacy of its former Foreign Minister Anil Gayan in December, reducing the race to a three-horse contest.

The battle to succeed Chad's Moussa Faki Mahamat as AUC Chairperson now features three candidates: Kenya's Raila Odinga, Djibouti's Mahamoud Youssouf, and Madagascar's Richard Randrianmandato.

Regional rivalries

The simultaneous bids from Eastern Africa—Nairobi, Djibouti, and Antananarivo—highlight long-standing regional rivalries and the bloc's continued struggle to unite behind a single candidate, potentially weakening its collective influence.

Comprising 14 member states spanning the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea, the Eastern Africa bloc faces a critical test of unity as the campaigns gather momentum.

Encouraged by Mauritius' support, Odinga has intensified his campaign efforts, including a strategic tour across West Africa to build further support for his bid.

Djibouti's Mahamoud Youssouf remains a formidable contender, bringing decades of diplomatic expertise to his campaign. Meanwhile, Madagascar's Richard Randrianmandato, though less visible, continues to pursue endorsements across the continent.

All three candidates participated in the Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate on December 13, 2024, held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During the event, they presented their visions and policy priorities to the African public ahead of the elections.

The coming months will test not only the campaign strategies of the candidates but also the unity and influence of the Eastern Africa bloc as it navigates internal divisions and external pressures in the race for the AU's top post.

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