Editor's Review

"I welcome your quick action that will free me to pursue other pressing and urgent matters." 

ODM leader Raila Odinga has broken his silence after his role as African Union High Representative for Infrastructure ended.

In a statement, Raila revealed that he had told the chairperson of the AU Mohamed Faki that he was facing challenges in discharging his mandate as a special envoy hinting that he could have triggered his exit.

Raila thanked the AU for responding swiftly to his request and freeing him to pursue other goals.

"During our meeting on the sidelines of the 2nd Dakar African Infrastructure Financing Summit in Dakar, Senegal about three weeks ago, I indicated the challenges to my continued availability for the role of AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa," Raila said in a letter to Mohamed Faki.

"In that regard, I welcome your quick action that will free me to pursue other pressing and urgent matters." 

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Raila acknowledged his contribution to the transformation of the NEPAD Agency to the African Union Development Agency- NEPAP which was achieved during his tenure.

"It has been a great pleasure and honour serving our continent and our people and addressing infrastructure development which we agree is the greatest contributor to our unending struggle to lift ourselves out of poverty and underdevelopment," he added.

A notification from the Chairman of the African Union Moussa Faki Mahamat indicated that Raila will no longer be working with AU in the same capacity.

Faki thanked Raila for his service saying his contribution to the AU was immense.

"Your exceptional leadership and unique command of the issues concerned has been crucial to the leveraging of infrastructure as a key priority with the continental agenda," Faki said in the notification dated February 19.

"Your role in this journey Excellency has been invaluable. Allow me to express my profound gratitude for accepting to serve in this role during the transition period which has come to a happy conclusion."

Faki said that the African Union hopes that Raila will continue supporting the body in other possible assignments.