The highly anticipated African Union Chairmanship election is drawing near and candidates are in the final stretch, aiming to secure crucial votes and clinch the coveted seat.
On February 25, the heads of African countries will convene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to cast their vote on who will succeed outgoing chairman Mouusa Faki Mahamat, from Chad.
Kenyan candidate and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s road has gained momentum with over 20 African countries pledging their support.
Currently the following countries have pledged to cast their ballots in Raila’s favour:
1. Mauritius
2. Rwanda
3. Guinea-Bissau
4. Togo
5. Zambia
6. Angola
7. Equatorial Guinea
8. Zimbabwe
9. Algeria
10. Gambia
11. Malawi
12. Republic of the Congo
13. Senegal
14. Burundi
15. DRC
16. Seychelles
17. Tanzania
18. Ghana
19. Uganda
20.South Sudan
Odinga’s campaign secretariat has ramped up his campaign with back-to-back appearances lined up ahead of election day. He has also been attending global summits alongside President William Ruto as part of the government’s efforts to drum up support for his candidacy.
In fact, Raila has spent the past week touring and wooing Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries as he enters the final leg of his campaign.
According to former Kenyan ambassador to the USA and one of Raila’s strategists, Elkana Odembo, his CV has been translated into six languages to help expand his appeal and communicate effectively with non-English speaking heads of state.
Raila’s manifesto entails plans to dismantle economic barriers, empower the youth and women, and unite the continent behind a common goal—prosperity.
He also promises to eliminate trade impediments and visa requirements that have stagnated growth.
Raila is competing with two other candidates, including Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
For the former premier to win, he is required to garner the support of two-thirds of the 55 countries eligible to vote, translating to 33 African Union member states.
