Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi now says that underestimating the Djibouti candidate for the African Union Commission chairmanship would be a big mistake.
Ahmednasir said that while Raila is a continental giant, Djibouti Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf has proven to be a formidable candidate.
"Hon Raila is a giant on the continental stage. But I think it will be a great mistake to underestimate Djibouti's candidate. I think he is a formidable candidate," Ahmednasir said.
The lawyer was reacting to an X post by Djibouti Ambassador to Saudi Arabia who said that the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has unanimously adopted a resolution to support the candidacy of Youssouf.
The AU Commission elections will be held in February 2025. Raila and Youssouf are the front runners for the seat.
Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar) are also gunning for seat.
The current chairman, Moussa Faki of Chad has exhausted his two four-year terms at the helm of the continental body.
The government of Kenya officially submitted Raila's bid on July 29, 2024.
On Tuesday, August 26, Ruto hosted East Africa Community heads of state and other top officials from the region to launch the Azimio leaders' bid.
The launch was attended by Presidents Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Samia Suluhu (Tanzania) and Silva Kiir (South Sudan) at State House, Nairobi.
Burundi Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca represented President Évariste Ndayishimiye, while Rwanda President Paul Kagame was represented by his Foreign Affairs Minister James Kabarebe.
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria) and Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) were also present.
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was also to attend but sent last minute apologies.
The AU Commission chairperson is a big post that elevates the holder to a near head of state.
