Editor's Review

Raila said he would accept defeat if he loses the AU bid to another contestant.

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, February 29 revealed the names of six African presidents who have agreed to support his African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.

Speaking in Marani, Kisii County, Raila said President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart have agreed to support his ambitions.

He also noted that Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Salva Kirr of South Sudan, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, and Felix Tshisekedi of DRC have pledged to vote for him.

"Samia Suluhu has already said she will vote for me. Salva Kiir has accepted, and I want to sweep across the entire East Africa before heading south. The other day, I was with Ramaphosa, and he said yes, and Tshisekedi also said yes,” remarked Raila.

The former premier mentioned that he would be meeting Rwanda’s Paul Kagame next week to ask him for his support for the AU chairman position. 

"Next week, I am going to meet with Kagame; I want him to support my bid,” Raila stated. 

File image of Raila Odinga, Yoweri Museveni and William Ruto.

At the same time, the opposition chief said he would accept defeat if he lost the AU bid to another contestant.

On Monday, Raila held a meeting with President Museveni and Ruto at his Kisozi country home in Uganda. 

In a statement after the meeting, Raila said Museveni agreed to propose him for the AU top position.

The former Prime Minister on February 15 announced his interest in replacing Moussa Faki when his term lapses in 2025.