Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC),
Raila Odinga, landed in Cotonou, Benin, on November 20, 2024, as part of his
campaign for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Odinga held discussions with Benin’s Foreign Minister, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari to share his vision for the continent’s future.
“I arrived in Cotonou, Benin, where I held talks with Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.I shared my vision on agriculture, infrastructure, and technology to unite and amplify the voice of Africa if elected as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC),” he posted on his X account.
During the unveiling of his AUC manifesto in Addis Ababa on November 8, the former Prime Minister pledged to fast-track economic transformation, enhance intra-African trade and infrastructure, financial independence, gender equity and equality, agricultural transformation, and climate action if elected the Africa Union Commission Chairperson.
Odinga also promised to foster education, women empowerment and counter Climate Change
During a luncheon with AU representatives, envoys, and international partners, Raila pledged to harness Africa's potential and capitalise on new opportunities to address pressing issues such as poverty and lack of education
“Our people suffer because of bad policies. I will strive to change that. I now have knowledge and ability to turn all this wealth into prosperity to liberate our people and make them rich and powerful and create the 21st century as an African century,” he said.
Odinga’s visit to Benin is part of a broader diplomatic tour aimed at rallying support from African leaders and stakeholders ahead of the AUC elections.
His candidacy has been lauded for its forward-looking approach and emphasis on practical solutions to longstanding challenges.
With the next (AUC) elections scheduled to take place in February 2025 during the African Union Summit, Odinga will battle with Djibouti’s top diplomat Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, former Mauritanian Foreign Affairs Minister Anil Gayan, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister James Randriamandrato all seeking to succeed the current chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
