Eyeing Victory: Raila Odinga concludes AUC chairman campaign

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has concluded his campaign for the African Union Commission chairman. Raila, who is confident about victory, met President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi in his last stop before heading to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the election on February 15 and 16. “I will be heading to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the final stretch, and I thank you all for your unwavering support and prayers throughout the journey of my candidacy for the African Union Commission chairmanship,” Raila said. Raila will face Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato in the election. African heads of state will elect Moussa Faki Mahamat’s successor during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government. A candidate must secure 33 votes out of 49 to win the seat. Raila's secretariat said he has secured the endorsements of 28 countries. Prime Cabinet Minister Musalia Mudavadi asked African nations to vote for the Kenyan candidate to ensure the fast-tracking of peace and stability of the continent. Mudavadi said Raila was a Pan-Africanist who had a vast knowledge of the continent and its political dynamics, and would offer the required leadership.