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Saturday, November 9, 2024

Crunch time for Raila Odinga as he charts path to AUC top position

ADDIS ABABA,  Ethiopia 

Kenya’s candidate for the Africa Union Commission chairmanship, Raila Odinga, wrapped up his two-day opening forum campaign at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The former AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development said he will intensify his campaigns using a vigorous shuttle diplomacy program during the remaining three months to the AUC chairmanship election.

In the meantime, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki today met and held bilateral talks with newly inaugurated President of Botswana, Duma 

During the talks in Gaborone, Kindiki pitched for Kenya's candidate in the African Union Commission chairmanship race, Raila Odinga, and formally submitted President William Ruto's request for support from his Botswana counterpart.

Ruto, through his deputy, termed Odinga a consummate African statesman whose experience in leadership would help propel and position the African continent on the global map, on issues of development, trade, peace and security, climate change, and economic transformation.

On Friday, Raila pledged to fast-track economic transformation, enhance intra-African trade and infrastructure, financial independence, gender equity and equality, agricultural transformation and climate action if elected the Africa Union Commission Chairperson.

Speaking while officially unveiling his manifesto at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, the former Premier also pledged to foster education, women empowerment and counter Climate Change.

Addressing the special luncheon attended by AU’s permanent representatives, Envoys and global partners, Raila stated that he will seize existing and emerging opportunities on the continent, to address issues such as poverty and illiteracy.

“Our people suffer because of bad policies … I will strive to change that. I now have knowledge and ability to turn all this wealth into prosperity to liberate our people and make them rich and powerful and create the 21st century as an African century,” he said.

Raila also pledged economic transformation, enhancing intra-African trade and infrastructure, financial independence, gender equity and equality, agricultural transformation, climate action, harnessing youth potential, continental integration, digital transformation as well as peace and security for the region.

“It's time for Africa to rise. China empowered the youth and gave them skills so when they opened up their economy the big manufacturing companies rushed to China because they saw there were highly skilled people and cheap manpower,” he noted.

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