The continent of Africa is at the crossroads, as its future hangs in the balance as the change of the guard looms at the African Union Commission Headquarters.
At stake is its leadership to spearhead the continent over the next four to eight years when its current Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat’s term expires in mid-February 2025.
The race to succeed Mahamat is a heated contest between Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is sponsored by Kenya’s President William Samoei Ruto, Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Mauritius’ former Foreign Affairs Minister Anil Gayan, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard James.
On the outset it appears that Kenya’s Odinga has an upper hand because of unprecedented sponsorship by President Ruto who has spared no expense to install Odinga as head of the African Union; pouring billions of Kenyan taxpayer shillings into Odinga’s campaign to succeed Chairman Mahamat, including expensive “charm offensive” trips to China and multiple other global capitals to lobby for Odinga’s election.
President Ruto's Personal Aide, Farouk Kibet has thrown his weight behind the Kenyan Candidate for the African Union Chairperson role, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Mr. Kibet, admonished 'unpatriotic' Kenyans whom he claimed have openly expressed their opposition to the bid of the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) leader, urging them to change their stand.
Speaking on February 2, 2025, Kibet Argued that Raila's win, is a win for the country, stating that his rise to the continental post will benefit the country at large.
According to Kibet, Tribalism has led to a section of Kenyans voicing their support for the Djibouti Candidate, instead of backing one of their own.
The Presidential Aide, opined that Raila's Win for the role, will help end tribalism in the country, adding that 'We are Praying for him'.
He exuded confidence in Odinga's chances at securing the AUC role, stating that the ODM leader is fit as a fiddle to steer the African Continent to greatness.
According to him, Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s extensive diplomatic outreach and endorsements from various heads of state have bolstered his regional appeal, earning him the support of a majority.