Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission Chairperson, Raila Odinga, recently met with President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo. The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, is located in Central Africa.
Odinga’s meeting with President Nguesso followed his active continental campaign to secure endorsements for his AUC bid. On Thursday, he had also met with Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix Tshisekedi, who endorsed his candidacy.
In a video shared by Makau Mutua, a senior member of Odinga’s campaign team, Raila was seen seeking Nguesso’s support ahead of the February 2025 election. He was accompanied by notable Kenyan diplomats and scholars, including former Kenyan ambassador to the United States Elkanah Odembo and university professor Prof. Makau Mutua.
“His Excellency President Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo hosted The Rt Hon Raila Odinga to discuss his candidacy for the AUC in a very successful visit. We thank President Nguesso for making the road to the AUC that much smoother,” wrote Mutua on his X account.
Raila has intensified his campaigns for the top continental job and has been meeting heads of state to lobby their support with most of them in the region having endorsed him.
On Thursday, Raila met the DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to discuss his AUC bid.
“Our conversation centred on the foundational issues of security, development, and climate change—essential for creating lasting prosperity and advancing our shared future,” Raila said on X.
Raila Odinga expressed his gratitude to President Nguesso for endorsing his bid to become the next
AU Chairperson. He is set to compete against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan of Mauritius, and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
In his campaign for the top continental position, Raila has been actively reengaging his long-established regional networks. Supported strongly by President William Ruto and state resources, some diplomats believe Raila has a significant advantage in the race. The former Prime Minister, known for his enduring commitment to pan-Africanism, is leveraging his extensive connections, which include both former and current presidents, to strengthen his bid.
