Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation James Kabarebe says Raila Odinga is "the ideal candidate” for the position of the African Union Commission Chairperson.
Kabarebe said this on Tuesday, August 27, as the former Kenyan prime minister launched his campaign to succeed outgoing AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, in a ceremony officiated President William Ruto.
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"Honourable Raila Odinga is a name that resonates not only within Kenya but across the African continent,” Kabarebe said during the ceremony attended by Presidents Salva Kiir of South Sudan, Samia Suluhu of Tanzania and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
"His contributions to the struggle for democracy, good governance and development in Kenya are well known and his influence extends far beyond his country's borders.”
In the AU elections due in February, Odinga will face off three contenders, namely Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan of Mauritius, and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar. President Paul Kagame endorsed Odinga’s candidacy after receiving him at Village Urugwiro in March.
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Kabarebe said Odinga "possesses the wisdom, experience and the leadership necessary to bring about the transformation that Africa needs.”
"His commitment to the African cause, his relentless pursuit of justice and his deep sense of responsibility to the people make him an ideal candidate for this role,” he said.
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Also present at the ceremony held at State House in Nairobi were former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.
78-year-old Odinga pledged to make the African Union a "people-centred” organisation, should he succeed to clinch the seat. The veteran politician has previously served as AU representative for infrastructure development.
"My plan is to make the AU more people-centered and serve the interest of the vast voiceless majority of Africans. African people should feel the AU in their lives," he said.
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Odinga said that though he is Kenya&039;s candidate for the AU Commission chairperson, he will represent the continent's interest.
"My selection to be Kenya's candidate is not about one man's ambition, but an African's journey to serve the motherland. I plan to constitute my cabinet of chairpersons with a continental outlook," Odinga said.
Odinga also pledged to advocate for issues such as compensation for climate change losses and damages in Africa, increasing intra-African trade, and air travel among other things.