Raila lands Eritrea’s support ahead of AUC elections

By Peter Ochieng

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga continues to traverse the African continent in search of support, as he seeks to become the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairman.

Elections will be held in Addis Ababa in February, 2025 with Odinga among the frontrunners to replace the outgoing Moussa Faki Mahamat.

His visit to Asmara has landed him the support of Eritrea President, Isaias Afwerki. “Thank you, H.E Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea for your warm reception and assurances in Asmara as I came to seek your support for my AUC bid,” Odinga shared online.

“My vision is to strengthen the bonds of Pan Africanism through the AU by enhancing connectivity to facilitate the movement of people and goods. We must take advantage of the moment to expand opportunities for the African Youth,” he added.

On Wednesday next week, Odinga will face his main opponents in a high-stakes debate that will be broadcast live across the African continent.

The debate, christened Mjadala Afrika Leadership, will run for two hours, from 7pm to 9pm East African time. Raila Odinga will face his three competitors, Anil Gayan (Mauritius), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar).

The debate will provide candidates with an opportunity to outline their vision of how they intend to lead the transformation of Africa, with Africans and other stakeholders getting an opportunity to ask questions of the candidates.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia will host the debate, televised in all the six official working languages of the African Union (AU). That is English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish and Kiswahili.

“The debate will be conducted by the two moderators who will address questions to the candidates in French and English,” says a communication from AU.

According to Elkanah Odembo, Raila’s head of campaigns, Elkanah Odembo, the former Premier, will hit the ground running for the second phase of campaigns immediately after the debate.