AUC chairperson candidate Raila Odinga when he was hosted by Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, January 6, 2025./HANDOUTAfrican Union Commission chairperson candidate Raila Odinga says he has been assured of support by Mauritius ahead of voting for the influential post in February.
Raila made the revelation on Monday after meeting Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam who hosted him in the island country.
“Thank you, Hon Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of
Mauritius, for hosting me and for your unequivocal support towards my
candidature for the African Union Commission Chairperson,” Raila said on his X feed.
Raila has thus far been assured of support from various countries, including EAC member states.
Mauritius had initially proposed to field a candidate for the AU post—former Foreign Affairs Minister, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan—but withdrew his candidature on November 28, 2024.
“I have had a telephone conversation with the newly-elected Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam… Prime Minister Ramgloolam confirmed his support for Kenya’s candidate to the African Union Commission Chairperson, Raila Odinga, for which I expressed much appreciation,” President William Ruto said.
AUC chairperson candidate Raila Odinga signs visitors’ book when he was hosted by Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, January 6, 2025.
AUC chairperson candidate Raila Odinga bids Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam farewell, January 6, 2025.Gayan’s withdrawal narrowed the race to replace incumbent AUC chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat to three candidates – Raila, Djibouti Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and former Madagascar Foreign Affairs Minister, Richard Randriamandrato.
The three outlined their manifestos to the continent on December 13, 2024, during a televised debate dubbed Mjadala Afrika in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Raila, who appeared well prepared, seized the moment to elaborate his vision and agenda for Africa, as he sought to convince AU member states to vote for him come Election Day.
The former Prime Minister won accolades back home for eloquently articulating his vision, including pledging to push for Africa to get two permanent seats with veto powers on UN Security Council should he clinch the seat.
“We are going to insist that Africa must get two permanent seats in the UN Security Council. We are a continent of 55 sovereign nations; we cannot be excluded when Europe has three permanent representatives. Representation with veto powers is a must for Africa,” Raila asserted.
He explained that the two veto seats would not only be able to stop unfavourable resolutions to the continent from becoming operational but would also promote Africa’s interests when discussing global security.
Raila also touched on many other issues of global concern, including climate change, saying “I will promote climate-positive investments and financing, leverage renewable energy resources, and integrate climate-smart strategies into our economic plans to secure a sustainable future for Africa and beyond.”