What’s ED Doing At State House? – Eduzim News

Harare – Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga met with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday at State House in Harare to seek Zimbabwe’s support for his candidacy as the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson. Mr. Odinga is one of three candidates vying for the top AU post, alongside Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Somalia’s Fawzia Yusuf Adam.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Odinga expressed optimism about Zimbabwe’s backing, given President Mnangagwa’s current role as the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). “I have come to announce my candidature and to also ask for support from Zimbabwe and SADC by extension. I am happy to have been received very well by the President,” he said.

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Mr. Odinga shared his appreciation for the warm reception, stating: “We landed in Harare, Zimbabwe today to a warm reception courtesy of H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa. It’s been a pleasure sharing with the President my vision for Africa and discussing my candidature for the AUC Chairmanship.”

A Regional Push for Eastern Africa

The position of AU Commission chairperson is set to rotate to Eastern Africa, following institutional reforms aimed at improving transparency, regional representation, and meritocracy in the AU’s leadership selection process. Past chairpersons have come from the western, central, and southern regions of Africa, making this an opportunity for Eastern Africa to take the lead.

Mr. Odinga, a seasoned politician and a well-known advocate for Pan-Africanism, has been traveling across the continent to lobby for support. His visit to Harare comes as part of his broader campaign, with plans to meet leaders from other Southern African nations to solidify regional backing.

Vision for Africa

During his meeting with President Mnangagwa, Mr. Odinga highlighted his vision for a united and self-reliant Africa. “We have shared experiences with other nations. We know where we are coming from and where we want to go. Africa will only be developed by Africans themselves,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of leveraging Africa’s abundant natural resources and its young, dynamic population to drive transformation and development. “We have 55 states in Africa, and we are looking at how these countries can be integrated so that we benefit from the resources on our continent,” he added.

Upcoming Election

The new AU Commission chairperson will be elected via secret ballot by the AU Assembly at the 38th AU Summit, scheduled to take place on February 25 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The election process reflects the AU’s commitment to gender parity and regional balance, with Eastern Africa producing the chairperson and North Africa expected to fill the deputy chairperson’s post.

As the current SADC Chairperson, President Mnangagwa holds significant sway in influencing the region’s position on the election. Whether Zimbabwe and the broader SADC bloc will back Mr. Odinga remains to be seen.

This visit underscores the high stakes and strategic importance of the upcoming AU elections, as the continent prepares to chart its course toward greater integration, development, and unity.

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