The President of Gambia, Adama Barrow, has declared his country’s full support for former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid to become the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairman.
Speaking on Thursday at State House, Nairobi, where he was hosted by President William Ruto, Barrow made the announcement.
“I wish to announce that Gambia will support the candidature of our brother Raila Odinga,” he stated.
President Barrow was the chief guest during Kenya’s Jamhuri Day Celebrations held at Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum in Lang’ata, Nairobi County. His endorsement is seen as a significant boost to Raila’s campaign for the coveted position.
Raila is vying for the AUC chairmanship against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar. The three candidates are scheduled to participate in a live debate on Friday night, which will be broadcast across the continent.
The Africa Leadership Debate, also referred to as the Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate, will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm East Africa Time.
The debate offers the candidates an opportunity to present their vision for Africa’s transformation and will be broadcast in all six official working languages of the AU: English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili.
According to a communication from the AU, the debate will be moderated in French and English, with moderators fielding questions from the public to the candidates.
Raila, who will present his manifesto during the two-hour debate, has expressed confidence in his campaign. His campaign team, led by Elkanah Odembo, stated, “Candidate RAO is preparing, and we are confident that Africa will see that he stands head and shoulders above his competitors.”
Raila’s manifesto includes promises of massive infrastructural transformation, enhanced intra-African trade, financial independence, gender equity, agricultural modernization, and climate change adaptation.
Additionally, the former AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development has pledged to harness youth potential, promote digital transformation, drive continental integration, and advance regional peace and security.
If elected in February, Raila has committed to positioning Africa as a global force for progress and innovation.
