Raila Odinga, Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, traveled to Harare, Zimbabwe, on Monday, January 13, 2025, for a crucial meeting with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
This visit follows President William Ruto’s successful efforts in April 2024 to secure Zimbabwe’s backing for Odinga’s candidacy, a significant step in the lead-up to the AUC elections set for February 2025 during the African Union Summit.
In a statement shared on his official X account, Raila Odinga expressed his gratitude for the warm reception he received upon arrival in Harare.
He revealed that during the meeting, he discussed his vision for Africa with President Mnangagwa, along with his candidacy for the prestigious AUC chairmanship.
“We landed in Harare today to a warm reception courtesy of H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It’s been a pleasure sharing with the president my vision for Africa and discussing my candidature for the AUC Chairmanship,” Raila wrote.
Raila’s visit comes nearly nine months after President Ruto secured Zimbabwe’s support for Raila’s bid, following the African Union Executive Council’s unanimous decision on March 15, 2024, that the Eastern Africa region should submit candidates for the position of AUC chairperson.
In his earlier remarks, President Ruto emphasized Kenya’s commitment to the Pan-African agenda and the continent’s development.
He assured that Kenya and Zimbabwe would continue working together on a range of bilateral, regional, and continental issues, aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“I am confident that Kenya and Zimbabwe will keep collaborating and supporting each other on matters of mutual significance, especially within the African Union framework,” said President Ruto during his bilateral discussions with Mnangagwa in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
During the meeting, Kenya and Zimbabwe signed nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in areas including transport, infrastructure, health, education, defense, trade, and investment, signaling deeper cooperation between the two nations.
President Mnangagwa also highlighted the importance of maximizing the existing opportunities for investment between the two countries.
In his continued support for Raila’s candidacy, President Ruto recently praised Raila’s exceptional track record as a pan-African leader.
Ruto expressed confidence that Raila’s leadership at the AUC would promote peace across the continent, resolve conflicts, and enhance the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
“We are very confident that Raila’s leadership will unlock the true potential of Africa and steer us toward a brighter future,” Ruto remarked during the Piny Luo Cultural Festival in Siaya County on January 2, 2025.
Raila’s bid for the AUC chairmanship is gaining momentum, with strong backing from key African nations as the continent prepares for the upcoming elections.
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