Details of Raila's meeting with President Salva Kiir

Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Thursday met with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba.

According to Raila, Salva Kiir committed to back his African Union Commission chairmanship bid.

He said the South Sudan President also promised to rally the entire East African Community (EAC) to support his bid.

"Had a very productive meeting in Juba with the President of South Sudan. Thank you, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, for hosting me," Raila said on X.

"Your support and commitment to rallying the entire EAC block behind my AUC Chair candidacy are greatly appreciated," Raila said.

Salva Kiir is the current chairman of the EAC Heads of State Summit.

The Summit gives strategic direction towards the realisation of the goal and objectives of the Community.

EAC is comprised of at least eight countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Somalia.

The Azimio leader has been travelling across the African continent seeking support from all African Union member states on his bid to lead the union's secretariat.

Raila’s candidacy has also secured the backing of other African states including Malawi and Zambia, boosting his bid to succeed Moussa Faki at the helm of the AUC.

The government in June announced that it had set up an elaborate secretariat as it goes flat out to support the former Prime Minister’s bid for the AUC chairmanship.

The Secretariat is charged with the day-to-day coordination of all Raila’s campaign activities.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced that the secretariat would be made up of top government bureaucrats as well as Raila’s men.

The team's first assignment would be to prepare the application documents to beat the August 6 deadline for submissions of applications.