Several Presidents and former Presidents are in Nairobi attending the launch of Raila Odinga’s bid to become the next African Union Commission chairperson.
The launch is being spearheaded by President William Ruto in Nairobi, Kenya.
Some of the leaders present include Presidents Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Salva Kiir (South Sudan) and the Prime Minister of Burundi Gervais Ndirakobuca
Former Presidents Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) and Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria) are also present.
Rwanda’s Paul Kagame is represented by his Foreign Affairs Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe.
Raila is seeking to replace Moussa Faki of Chad, whose term comes to an end early next year.
Raila is facing competition from Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf, Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar).
Kenya formally submitted Raila Odinga’s bid for African Union Chairmanship seat in July.
Foreign affairs PS Korir Singo’ei said the government had presented the requisite documentation of Kenya’s nominee for the Chairmanship to the Dean of Eastern Region.
“Under the authority of the Government of Kenya and as per the Statutes and Rules of the African Union Commission, we have today formally submitted requisite documentation of Kenya’s nominee for the Chairmanship of AfricanUnion, H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, to the Dean of Eastern Region, H.E. Dharmraj Busgeeth, Ambassador of Mauritius,” Singo’ei said.
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