Raila Odinga Meets Top European Diplomats As He Firms Up His AUC Bid

• In February, Azimio One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga officially declared his interest to go for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairman
• On Thursday, April 25, he met diplomats from Europe to further strengthen his bid for AU top seat and how to remove trade barriers
• He has continued to rally for support in African countries, backed up by President William Ruto

Azimio One Kenya leader Raila Odinga held a consultative meeting in Nairobi with European diplomats to discuss global issues and his bid for African Union Commission (AUC) chairman.

Raila separately met with the Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya, Gunnar Andreas Holm, and Australia's High Commissioner Jenny Da Rin at his Karen home.

Raila's AUC bid receives Europe's support

According to the statement, the two diplomats backed Raila's AUC bid, and the need to strengthen AU for development in Africa.

"Both parties agreed on the need for a strong AU to drive potential game-changer issues like continental free infrastructure development open skies and investment in energy and internet connectivity," the statement read.

Raila's vision for Africa

Raila further shared his vision for Africa, when he secured the AUC chairmanship, which included free trading, humanitarian assistance for Kenya, as well as seeking for peace in DR Congo and Sudan.

"Raila shared his vision for expanded cooperation on other foreign policy priorities, including a free trade regime across the continent as his plans for the continent should he ascend to the office. He called for steadfast political economic and humanitarian support for Kenya and other African countries, including Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the need for long-lasting peace in the regions," read the statement.

East Africa AUC candidates

Raila has two competitors from East Africa after Somalia and Djibouti fielded candidature for the AUC chairmanship.

Djibouti announced the candidature of its Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf on Tuesday, April 9, while Somalia's former minister for Foreign Affairs, Fawzia Adam, in March also declared his interest.

What to know about Raila's AUC chairmanship

• President William Ruto expressed his goodwill on Raila's AU chairmanship.
• Raila shared a list of African countries supporting his bid.
• A survey conducted by Infotrak showed a majority of Kenyans support his candidature for AUC.
• Law scholar Peter Kagwanja said Raila is too old for the AU chairperson.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.