Raila’s ambitious plan for Africa as he launches AUC candidacy in Addis

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Friday formally launched his candidacy for the top role at the African Union, touting himself as the leader the continent needs to unlock its full potential.

Mr Odinga unveiled his ambitious plan for the continent should he bag the position in February next year when the election will be held.

In the event held in Addis Ababa, he emphasised the importance of a united Africa, arguing that disunity has hindered the continent’s progress and potential.

“We must return unity to the top of our priorities. Without unity in a fast-consolidating and changing world, Africa will continue to be marginalised, exploited and irrelevant,” he warned.

Africa is huge, and the infrastructure down on the roads and highways and railways are not yet fully developed, he said. But for the skies, which are free, each country has its own traffic control, explaining it is a hindrance to development as it makes air transport expensive in Africa as compared to Europe.

The youth, Mr Odinga said, is the biggest asset that Africa has because 70 per cent of them were below the ages of 35.

“This can be an asset, or it can also be a challenge. Because the youth, if they are not empowered, they become a drag on the economy. They become drug addicts, they become criminals,” he former Premier said, empowering them they become the biggest resource.

“But we first need to give the youth the requisite tools that they require to be able to create wealth for our continent,” he said.

He said he envisions a continent whose progress is driven by its own people and that pushes to be a dynamic, influential and respected force in the international arena.

He intends to harmonise visas by introducing the AU visas, just like the Schengen visas of Europe, even as he promises a change to the leadership status quo.

His leadership, he said, will be pegged on the dreams of forefathers “who expected that by now Africa would grow in one united voice.”

Climate Change

On climate change, Mr Odinga said Africa is always teetering on two extremes, with many of Africa's countries today living between two disasters. Floods and droughts.

He explained that in the climate change debate, Africa is not the offender but a victim.

At the same time, as the world converges in Baku for COP29, Mr Odinga, who punched holes in the frequent high-delegation meetings said he would not be attending because the meeting hardly yields results.

“It's a talk show. People talk… They make promises of billions,” but never honour them, he decried.

Mr Odinga who envisions an Africa that celebrates its rich cultural diversity said Women and girls need to be empowered to pursue their dreams. He added that the African woman is the breadwinner in most families. But also does the house chores.

“The African woman is a great human being. The African woman must be respected.”

And on the environmental sustainability plan, he said Africa desires to lead the way in conserving the environment.

Mr Odinga is Kenya’s candidate for the AUC role and President William Ruto is banking on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) to push through Nairobi’s proposals for reforms at the continental body.

Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs told the gathering that Kenya was pushing for reforms, and is presenting someone who will buy in that philosophy.

“We presently need a candid audit of the AU’s progress in order to spur our regional body into an organisation that continues to serve the African people and one that cultivates mutually beneficial partnerships,” Mr Mudavadi said.

“I, therefore, reassure you that Kenya is offering a lifelong Pan-Africanist, an accomplished global statesman, who has demonstrated exceptional and visionary leadership. There is much that our continent can utilise from such an elaborate experience.”

Mr Odinga, a former Prime Minister in Kenya between 2008 and 2012 has been an influential figure in Kenyan politics.

He has lost presidential elections five times, but still came back to collaborate with Presidents who defeated him. He turned around earlier this year to mend fences with Ruto, following years of acrimonious political bickering.

At the continental body, he could be the oldest Chairperson of the African Union Commission should he win the elections in February next year. But he must defeat three other candidates including Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan of Mauritius, and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.

At a separate event a day earlier, President Ruto said having a Kenyan leader at the helm of the AUC would help him more effectively push forward the AU reform goals.

While addressing the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) comprising African ambassadors accredited to the AU, president Ruto said it is imperative that Africa becomes organised and builds the necessary synergy to tackle the challenges that face the continent.

“To achieve this crucial objective, the reform agenda of the African Union institutions must be thorough and consultative,” President Ruto said ahead of Mr Odinga’s unveiling of his vision and priorities for AUC chairperson.

“The reforms are aimed at making the institutions of the African Union more accountable, efficient and effective in serving Member States and, indeed, the people of the continent.”

President Ruto was in February designated the African Union Champion for Institutional Reform, taking over from President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

The Assembly of the African Union heads of State and Government bestowed on President Ruto the responsibility of providing political leadership and vision and completing the Comprehensive Institutional Reform Initiative that started in 2016.

The task involves reforming the structure, functioning and focus of the African Union Commission, AU organs and specialised agencies so that they become more effective and efficient in managing the programmes of the African Union.

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