Raila thanked the presidents and leaders for supporting his candidacy for AUC

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has expressed gratitude to leaders who supported his candidacy for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission.

This comes after several heads of state and leaders formally endorsed his candidacy at the presidential palace on Tuesday.

The former Prime Minister thanked them for their support and encouragement.

In a statement from X, Raila thanked President William Ruto, President Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), President Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), President Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Evariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi).

Other candidates include former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“I am very grateful to President Ruto, President Museveni, President Suluhu, President Kiir, President Kagame, President Ndayishimiye, President Kikwete and President Obasanjo for their support, encouragement and recognition as I campaign for the AUC. “Together we can and will create a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Africa. The journey begins,” Raila said.

Raila is seeking to succeed Chadian President Moussa Faki, whose second term has ended. Elections will be held in early 2025.

Raila faces competition from Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Youssouf, Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar).

“Today, I am personally inspired and humbled by the collective support I have received from my country and the East African region as a candidate for the Chairpersonship of the African Union Commission. Kenya’s official announcement of my candidacy for the Chairpersonship of the African Union Commission is a major motivation and milestone in my campaign,” Raila said.

“Africa’s history is filled with lows and highs. Africa is widely considered the cradle of humanity, with its political organization reflected in the great kingdoms found across the continent.”

Raila pledged to work with leaders to make the AU more people-centric and serve the interests of the vast majority of Africans who have no voice.

He added that African people should feel the influence of the AU in their lives.

“If elected Chairperson, I suggest using the transition period to critically analyse existing AU Commission reform and capacity building proposals. The ultimate goal is to follow up on the implementation of the reports produced so far. Of course, the African story is not all gloom and doom,” he added.

The former prime minister said he plans to work with African heads of state to promote integration on the continent.