The legendary Kenyan opposition leader made the remarks after signing the AUC Chair application documents on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
'I signed off my AUC Chair application documents. We are focused on bringing the seat home for Kenya and serving the African people,' Odinga stated.
Thereafter, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing'oei confirmed that all was set for the submission of Odinga's application documents.
'All-Set-Go!' Sing'oei captioned social media photos showing bundles of the documents set to be submitted to the AU Secretariat for consideration.
August 6, 2024, is the deadline for submission of candidatures for the coveted continental job.
Odinga, who previously served as African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development, is seeking to succeed Chad's Moussa Faki in elections slated for February 2025.
He is among four renowned African leaders who have declared interest in the job. Others are former Seychelles Vice President Vincent Meriton, Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf, and ex-Somali Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf.
Huge Boost
Odinga received a huge boost in his bid earlier this year when the African Union Executive Council unanimously resolved that candidates for the position of the next chairperson of the AU Commission would be nominated by the Eastern African regional states.
Several African Heads of State, including President Paul Kagame and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni have since expressed their support for Odinga to clinch the top job.
Others are Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, and Ghana's Nana Akufo-Addo.
Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera and his Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema have also pledged to support Odinga's bid.
The chairperson of the AU Commission is the Chief Executive Officer of the African Union.
The position is crucial in driving the Union's agenda and representing the continent on the
global arena.
Candidates for the position are nominated by member states of the African Union. A high-level panel of eminent Africans is responsible for assessing and shortlisting the nominated candidates based on their qualifications, experience, and leadership abilities.
The final election is conducted by the Assembly of the African Union, which comprises representatives from all member states. The election is held by secret ballot, and a two-thirds majority of eligible member states is required to elect the Chairperson.
The successful candidate serves a four-year term, renewable once.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/odinga-upbeat-as-kenya-set-to-formally-submit-au-bid
