Raila: I'll get Africa 2 security council seats if I win

Kenya's candidate for the African Union Commission chairmanship Raila Odinga has said he will work with all African leaders to ensure the continent gets two permanent seats at the United Nations Security Council if he is elected.

Raila said that would be a fair representation of the continent to the security council.

Raila said that under his leadership, permanent representation for Africa, complete with veto powers, is a must.

He lamented that Africa, with 55 sovereign nations, does not have any seat yet Europe has three.

“I'm not going to talk about permanent representation. If the heads of state see it fit that I should head this, I will work with all the leadership of the continent to ensure that we get a fair treatment of the international scene,” he said.

Raila made the remarks Friday night during the African Union Leadership debate dubbed Mjadala Afrika.

He, however, attributed the continued under-representation of Africa to the fact that the UNSC was formed at a time most parts of Africa were colonies.

Raila said it was unacceptable that Africa with 1.4 billion people has no representation on the council.

On small arms proliferation, Raila attributed this to poverty, religious and internal conflicts.

During the interview, Raila also vowed to lead from the front to ensure the vision of the founding fathers of Africa is realised.

He said he has what it takes to get Africa to where it wants to be in all areas of education, health, African trade and value addition to the abundant wealth that the continent has.

“I have acted as the African High representative on Infrastructure and on this I know we have a very comprehensive programme on infrastructure development in the continent,” he said.

“What remains is action and what I want to promise the African people is that I will lead from the front to ensure we achieve the visions of the founding fathers of our continent.”

Raila said with Africa having been liberated, there was more to be done to get it united and attain the vision 2063, which is coming up 50 years later.

“I have the experience, I have been part of this movement for change in the continent. Some achievements have been made but there is more to be done,” he said, adding that Africa has immense wealth.

On trade balance, Raila said there was need for value addition on raw materials coming out of Africa.

He also emphasised about the need to enhance intra-Africa trade, noting that today, it stands at just 15 per cent.

Raila said not much has been achieved with the African Free Trade Area launched threes years ago due to non-tariff barriers and standards and modalities for payment which is different for countries.