Monday, February 3, 2025 – Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship race, Raila Odinga, has suffered a huge blow ahead of the elections, set for mid-February.
This is after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
endorsed Raila’s main rival, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, of Djibouti.
This development comes just days after Kenya’s President
William Ruto visited Cairo to lobby for Raila Odinga's bid.
Djibouti's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Moussa Mohamed
Omar, announced on Sunday evening, posting on X:
"This morning, the minister MAY was received by
Egyptian President Al-Sisi, another endorsement of his candidacy."
Omar went ahead to aim a thinly veiled jab at Raila by
highlighting their candidate's linguistic advantage.
"After their meeting, he held a press conference in
Arabic. A polyglot, he needs no interpreter to engage with African leaders and
partners, unlike other candidates."
Raila, who accompanied Ruto on his State visit to Cairo last
week to seek Egyptian backing took to X to express his gratitude.
"I extend my sincere gratitude to H.E. President Abdel
Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt for the warm and gracious welcome," he posted.
"Thank you, President el-Sisi, for your hospitality and
for your unwavering support of a united and prosperous Africa." he added.
Nevertheless, senior figures in the Ruto administration are
confident that Raila will clinch the top AU seat.
Speaking in a recent interview, CS Aden Duale opined that
Odinga has engaged with nearly 40 out of the 49 eligible countries, securing
substantial endorsements.
“Raila has backing from at least 11 East African nations and
only needs 32 votes to win,”
“Aside from the six nations barred from voting, Raila has visited almost 40 countries. He already has backing from at least 11 Eastern African nations,” he noted.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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