John AdoyiNigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has thrown his weight behind Kenya’s former Prime Minister and 2022 Presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat as the next Chairman of the African Union (AU).
Obasanjo, who currently serves as the African Union’s envoy for the Horn of Africa region, expressed his support during a visit to Nairobi on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters alongside Odinga, Obasanjo who served as Nigeria’s President from 1999 to 2007 stated: “I have no doubt that my friend is a viable candidate but subject to views, feelings, positions, and presentations of our leaders in the East Africa sub-region.” He emphasized that individuals with prior experience as heads of government, either as Presidents or Prime Ministers, are most suitable for the AU top job.
According to Obasanjo, the rotational nature of the AU leadership should now favor East Africa. He noted: “Not too long ago we had Southern Africa, one occupying the seat now is Central Africa. Before that, we had West Africa.” He emphasized that Odinga should not be seen as a candidate solely for Kenya but as a representative of the entire East African region.
In response, Raila Odinga, 79 who was Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 expressed his readiness to take on the AU leadership role, stating, “If we marshal our resources as a continent, pull in one direction, then we can be able to make Africa greater. I have been consulting widely. I think I am ready to serve the continent of Africa. Africa deserves better.”
The current AU Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, is set to step down in March next year, opening up the opportunity for a new leader to take the helm of the continental body. Obasanjo’s endorsement of Raila Odinga adds weight to his candidacy and could potentially influence the decisions of other African leaders in the upcoming AU elections.
If elected as Chairman of AU come next year, Odinga who has plans to contest in the 2027 Kenya’s Presidential election will no longer be eligible for the job as AU Chairpersons are not allowed to participate in national politics.
