Countries that have publicly endorsed Raila ahead of AUC elections
On February 26, 2024, President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga pulled an unexpected move that revealed Kenya’s interest in taking a stab at the continental top seat- the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
Ruto and Raila, who were then largely viewed as political rivals, flew to Uganda and met President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Their discussions confirmed reports that the former prime minister had declared interest in the African Union Commission Chairmanship, sparking a myriad of reactions from the Kenyan political space.
After the Ugandan meeting, Raila embarked on intense deliberations and discussions before fully launching his campaign to replace Moussa Faki Mahamat.
Fully bankrolled by the Kenya Kwanza’s administration, he flew to different parts of the continent capitalising on his rich network to convince the heads of state to vote for him. With the help of his secretariat, Raila pitched his vision to the presidents some of who openly endorsed him but others confirmed their meeting without revealing where their vote would go.
However, in less than two days, eligible continent presidents are scheduled to vote for Faki’s replacement during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government, which will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15, 2025, and February 16, 2025.
Raila will square it out with Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahamoud Youssouf and former Madagascar Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato.
The former Prime Minister needs to secure at least two-thirds of the votes from the 49 AU member states to win in the first round.
Here are countries that have publicly endorsed his candidature;
Uganda
On August 27, 2024, Museveni was among the heads of state who attended the official launch of Raila’s candidacy for the AUC chairmanship at State House, Nairobi.
Speaking at the colourful event, Museveni underscored the need for patriotism and Pan-Africanism for Africa’s prosperity. In his well-thought-out address, Museveni cited historical instances where internal divisions led to the decline of previously successful African initiatives against external threats.
To restore the lost glory, Museveni made it clear that the AUC needed someone with deeper knowledge and conviction on how to put the continent on the right trajectory.
“I’m here to support the candidature of Raila Odinga on behalf of Uganda because he’s a convinced Pan-Africanist,” Museveni expressed his confidence in Raila’s candidature.
On January 2, 2025, Museveni also attended the Piny Luo Cultural Festival and vowed to back Raila’s candidacy.
“We’re supporting the candidature of Raila for AUC chairmanship. He will help us to do mobilisation and brainstorming, but the real power is with us here,” Museveni explained.
South Sudan
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir was also one of the dignitaries who attended Raila’s AUC bid launch in Nairobi. In his address, he vowed to throw his weight behind the former prime minister.
“My presence here today is to confirm that the South Sudan endorsement of this decision is in place. I have known the Right Hon Raila Odinga for many years and his pan-African Commitment and his consistency is admirable, his zeal and pan-African prosperity will be of great value to the African Union,” Kiir stated.
Tanzania
During the event in Nairobi, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan also made a public declaration that her country was fully behind Raila.
“The government of Tanzania endorses the candidature of Raila Amollo Odinga for chairperson of AU. We know he’s a Pan-Africanist leader,” she said.
Rwanda
Although President Paul Kagame of Rwanda skipped the launch event in Nairobi, he was among the first heads of state to declare his support for Raila.
Speaking to a local TV station on March 13, 2024, Kagame revealed that he met with Raila in Kigali and informed him that Rwanda was behind his candidature.
“It’s no secret. I told him Rwanda would support him. I wish him well,” Kagame told the local TV station.
“Not only will we support him to be there, but also when he is there, we will support him for Africa to succeed,” he added.
Burundi
During the official launch of Raila’s AUC bid in Nairobi, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye did not attend the event.
However, he sent Burundi’s Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca who assured Raila that the country was behind him.
Ghana
On December 29, 2024, Ghana President John Mahama silently flew into the country and went to meet Ruto at his Kilgoris home. At that time, Mahama had not been sworn into office, he was fresh from being declared a winner in the polls.
During their meeting, Ruto revealed that Mahama had endorsed Raila’s candidature for the AUC role.
“Thanked him for declaring his support for Hon Raila Odinga‘s African Union Commission chairperson candidature,” Ruto wrote on his X account.
Guinea Bissau
Guinea Bissau also recently joined the list of countries which had publicly endorsed Raila Odinga’s candidature. This was revealed during President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s visit to Kenya on January 25, 2025.
During their state house meeting, Ruto announced that President Umaro Sissoco Embalo would back Raila.
“In the context of the forthcoming African Union Commission (AUC) elections, I express my deep appreciation to Your Excellency for Guinea-Bissau’s endorsement of Kenya’s candidate for the position of AUC Chairperson for the 2025-2028 term,” Ruto announced.
Equatorial Guinea
On January 7, 2025, President William Ruto published a statement revealing Equatorial Guinea’s commitment to supporting Raila Odinga.
Ruto shared on X that Equatorial Guinea Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue assured him that the country would back Kenya’s candidate.
In Accra, Ghana, met the Equatorial Guinea Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue who pledged his country’s support for Hon. Raila Odinga’s AUC chairperson bid.
Togo
In Ghana where he went to attend President Mahama’s inauguration, Ruto also met Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé on January 7, 2025. After the meeting, Ruto informed the nation that President Gnassingbé had agreed to support Raila ahead of the February polls.
“President Gnassingbé pledged his support for Raila Odinga’s candidature for the African Union Commission chairperson,” Ruto wrote on X.
Algeria
Kenya and Algeria share deeper diplomatic ties. The North African country had on many occasions sent aid to Kenya including fertiliser to help the country’s agricultural sector.
To prove their friendship, the country also agreed to support Raila Odinga. This was publicised by President William Ruto following a meeting with Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
“I have held discussion with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Algeria, on the sidelines of G7 meeting in Apulia, Italy, who has pledged support for Kenya’s Africa Union -Commission chairmanship bid,” Ruto revealed on June 14, 2024.
Gambia
The President of Gambia, Adama Barrow committed that his country was fully behind Raila’s bid to become the next AUC chairman.
Barrow announced during a meeting at State House, Nairobi where he was hosted by Ruto in December 2024.
“I wish to announce that Gambia will support the candidature of our brother Raila Odinga,” he said.
The Gambian President was the chief guest at the Jamhuri Day Celebrations on December 12, 2024.
Congo
Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso also joins the list of Presidents who have thrown their weight behind Raila.
President Denis Sassou Nguesso endorsed Kenya’s candidate on August 17, 2024, following their meeting.
The former prime minister met Nguesso in Brazzaville where they held talks about his African Union Commission chairperson bid.
“His endorsement strengthens our mission,” Raila said on his X account.
Angola
Angola’s Ambassador to Kenya, Sianga Abilio, expressed his nation’s commitment, asserting that it would back Raila.
“Angola is aware and is working on that issue and will not let Kenya, as a brother, down,” he affirmed.
These declarations were made during an event commemorating 22 years since the end of Angola’s civil war at the Angolan Embassy in Nairobi on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
DRC
Raila is also confident of receiving support from DRC President Felix Tshisekedi. Following their meeting on August 15, 2024, Raila published on his X account that the President had endorsed his candidature.
“I met with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi today to discuss my AUC bid. Our conversation centered on the foundational issues of security, development, and climate change—essential for creating lasting prosperity and advancing our shared future.
“I thank him for his endorsement,” Raila wrote.
Seychelles
Former Seychelles Vice President Vincent Meriton in November 2024 handed Raila a major boost after he withdrew his candidacy for AUC chairmanship in favour of Raila.
Announcing his decision on Saturday, November 30, 2024, Meriton stated, “I withdrew my candidacy from the African Union Commission chairmanship race because I would not have been able to withstand the pressure that comes with the position.”
In a show of solidarity, Meriton pledged his support for Raila, whom he described as the ideal candidate for the role.
“Today, I want to lend my support to Raila Odinga. As Africa positions itself to be more assertive on the international scene, we need new leadership at the African Union Commission.”
Zambia
President William Ruto met with Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema during his visit to China. The two discussed various issues with AU reforms featuring predominately.
Following the meeting, Ruto shared on his X on September 4, 2024, that Zambia’s President had promised to support Raila.
Botswana
In January 2025, Ruto announced that Botswana had endorsed Raila Odinga’s bid. The announcement came after Ruto met with Botswana’s recently elected President, Duma Boko, in Ghana.
“President Boko pledged his support for Hon. Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission chairperson bid,” Ruto posted on his X account.
Mauritius
Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam also pledged his support for Raila’s bid following a telephone conversation with Ruto which saw Mauritius candidate Anil Gayan effectively exiting the race.
Ruto expressed his appreciation even as he affirmed the cordial ties between the two countries.
“I have had a telephone conversation with the newly-elected Prime Minister of Mauritius, Hon. Navinchandra Ramgoolam. I congratulated him on his election and for the faith the people of his country have shown in him and his party,” President Ruto stated.
On January 6, 2025, Raila also visited the country and met with the Prime Minister who insisted that they would still honour their promise.
During his various tours, Raila met with various presidents from all blocks of the continent. Some of the other notable heads of state Raila interacted with include Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Mozambique’s Daniel Chapo and Senegalese Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
His recent campaign trail took him to North Africa where he interacted with various officials and shared with them his AUC ambitions.
Raila is hopeful that all the heads of state would back him for the seat as they had publicly promised to do.
He is however expecting stiff competition from Youssouf and former Madagascar Foreign Minister. Despite the competition expected, Raila is optimistic of getting the two-thirds in the first round to clinch the seat.
However, the latest directive from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) urging its member states to support former Madagascar Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato could likely influence the polls scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2025.
SADC has 16 countries including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Raila had secured a number of endorsements in these countries during his campaign trail.
Guidelines during elections
On January 28, 2025, the African Union issued the guidelines ahead of the polls. In their explainer, they noted that the commission members’ terms are for four years, renewable once.
AU further detailed that a panel of eminent Africans will oversee the pre-selection of candidatures for the senior leadership of the Commission
“The Assembly of Heads of State and Government elects and appoints the chairperson and deputy chairperson during their Session on the 15-16 February 2025,” AU said in an explainer.
The union added that in the election for the chairperson, deputy chairperson, and commissioners, voting continues until one of the candidates obtains the two-thirds majority.
“The voting process begins with all the candidates on the ballot. Voting is conducted three times and if the third ballot remains inconclusive without any candidate garnering the two-thirds majority, the next ballot shall be restricted to the two candidates who obtained the highest number of votes and the candidate with fewer votes is withdrawn,” AU said.
