- Raila Odinga officially launched his bid for the AUC chairmanship, calling for a united and prosperous Africa.
- He emphasized the potential of Africa, urging leaders to work together to harness the continent's resources and resilience.
- Raila criticized the growing dependence on foreigners, advocating for Africa to be developed by Africans, using local talent and energy.
- The former Prime Minister encouraged African nations to break internal barriers and take control of their development destiny
Addis Ababa – Former prime minister Raila Odinga has officially launched his quest to become the chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC), giving an impressive speech at the AU headquarters.
Source: Twitter
Speaking on Friday, November 8, Railaknown for his strong Pan-Africanist stance, presented a vision of African unity and prosperity, urging leaders to work together for the continent's future.
Raila's team, led by Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Foreign Affairs Secretary Korir Sing'oei, joined him in Ethiopia to support his request.
Introducing himself to the audience, Raila highlighted his legacy of Kenya and his commitment to Pan-Africanism, referring to his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, a prominent Pan-African leader.
What is Raila's vision for Africa?
In his speech, Raila encouraged African leaders and citizens to think of Africa, a continent with potential, resources and resilience.
“When I present to run for the position of AUC chairman, I am committed to turning this image into reality. But I cannot do it alone. It will take all of us leaders, innovators and every citizen to work together. to remove barriers, strengthen unity and pursue excellence,” he said.
Raila highlighted Africa's paradox of resource wealth compared to widespread poverty in the continent.
He expressed his tiredness with the old methods of relying on foreigners, stressing that Africa will not be developed by foreigners coming to Africa but by the intelligence and strength of Africans.
Raila's message was accompanied by a call to action, urging African nations to break down internal barriers and unite for a common purpose.
“We have been blaming others in the past, but the time has gone. Now is the time to act like Africans and we take our destiny into our own hands and we work together to believe in the living conditions of African people.
Africa will not be developed by foreigners coming to Africa. Foreigners will come to invest, not to develop, but to earn money. But eventually Africa will flourish with the intelligence and strength of the African people and that is why you see the story I am telling about the African lion,” Raila said.
What is Raila's position in the AUC race?
Raila, who served as the chief representative of the African Union for infrastructure development for five years between 2018 and 2023, will need the support of consensus or at least two-thirds of the votes by the member states represented by their heads.
Other countries whose presidents support his ambition (Raila) are the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Somalia, South AfricaRwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Burundi, Seychelles, Ghana, South Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Angola, and Congo.
If he wins, Raila will adhere to the chairmanship's code of conduct, which states that the holder of the office should take a backseat to their country's politics and, at the same time, remain neutral in the African social and political landscape.
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