Museveni’s Urgent Communication to Raila: Intensifying Competition for AU Leadership Positions

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni was seen sharing a friendly moment with ODM leader Raila Odinga and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on May 17, 2024.

During his three-day state visit to Kenya, Museveni assured Odinga of his full support in his bid for the chairmanship of the Africa Union Commission (AUC).

After saying goodbye to Museveni, Raila discussed his vision for a unified East African Community with the Ugandan president, expressing gratitude for his ongoing backing in the AU Commission candidature.

Accompanied by CS Murkomen, Raila mentioned that Museveni had signed several trade agreements with Kenya.

However, a monkey wrench was thrown into the EAC-member countries’ support for Raila when Somalia nominated its own contender, former Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam.

Somalia, a recent member of the EAC, has already gained support for Adam’s candidacy from a significant number of African countries through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

With another contender, former Seychelles Vice President Vincent Meriton, entering the race, the competition for the AU chairmanship has become even more complex.

Meriton’s primary goal as AUC chair would be to enhance the implementation rate of the Commission’s decisions and foster accountability and compliance.

In addition to Raila, other contenders to succeed current AU chair Moussa Faki Mahamat include Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Somalia’s Fawzia Yusuf Adam, and Seychelles’ Vincent Meriton.

Faki, who has been the AUC chair since 2017, is expected to leave the position by February 2025.