Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Monday flew to Zimbabwe to drum up support for his candidature for the African Union Commission chairperson seat.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa hosted Raila upon his arrival in the country.
“We landed in Harare, Zimbabwe today to a warm reception courtesy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa,” Raila said on X.
“It's been a pleasure sharing with the president my vision for Africa and discussing my candidature for the AUC Chairmanship,” he added.
Raila will be facing Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (Djibouti) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar) in the election.
The African Union, a continental organisation consisting of 55 African member States, is scheduled to hold elections at its summit in February 2025 to choose a successor to Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission.
The election is conducted by secret ballot, and the winner
must secure a majority of two-thirds of the vote among eligible member states.
The African Union chairperson is an important position within the African Union.
The Chairperson serves as the head of the (AU) African Union elected by the assembly of heads of state and government.
Considered Africa's economic engine since its establishment
as OAU and later transformed into AU, the head of the AUC, which is an
executive body, is elected on a rotational basis between the regions of the
continent for every four years and the elected chairperson can be re-elected
for two terms as incorporated in the constitution.
Africa has five distinctive regions: northern, western, central, southern and eastern.
Quite apart from regional origin, the candidates are required to have serious educational qualifications and, most importantly, experience to handle effectively the multiple tasks as the chairperson of the AUC.
Raila has embarked on door-to-door engagements as he woos the southern part of the continent to back his bid.
He has rolled out an aggressive campaign that will see him visit at least 10 countries in southern Africa this month.