Raila grateful as Congo President endorses his AUC chairmanship bid

By Peter Ochieng

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has expressed his delight at ‘pocketing’ the endorsement of Republic of Congo President, Denis Sassou N’Guesso for his Africa Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader met President N’Guesso in Brazzaville, where they discussed a range of issues, including security.

“Grateful for the insightful meeting with President Denis Sassou N’Guesso of the Republic of the Congo as I advance my AUC bid,” said Odinga.

“We discussed security, development, and climate change—vital to a prosperous and sustainable future. His endorsement strengthens our mission.”

Raila was in Congo a day after meeting DRC President Felix Tshisekedi over the same issue.

Denis Sassou N’Guesso adds to the growing list of Heads of State who have endorsed Odinga’s bid for the AUC chairmanships post.

They include Kenya’s William Ruto, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, Salva Kirr of South Sudan, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Felix Tshisekedi of DRC, Uganda’s Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.

"Samia Suluhu has already said she will vote for me. Salva Kiir has accepted, and I want to sweep across the entire East Africa before heading South. The other day, I was with Ramaphosa, and he said yes, and Tshisekedi also said yes,” Raila remarked in February.

African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson election will be held in February 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to choose the fifth Commission Chair to succeed incumbent Chairperson Moussa Faki, whose term is nearing the end.

Odinga will battle against three other contenders. They are: Anil Gayan, former Mauritius Foreign Minister, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Foreign Minister, Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato, former Foreign Minister, Madagascar.

Recently, Fawzia Yusuf Adam, former Somalia Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister dropped from the race and declared support for Odinga.

Odinga is seen as a front runner for the seat, which has never been occupied by an East Africa.

He however stated that he will accept results and ‘move on’ in the event that he loses.