African Union Executive Council backs EAC for next AU Commission Chairman

The African Union Executive council has unanimously agreed to support one of their own in the position of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said it is time that the position is occupied by a leader from Africa even as he lobbied for the candidature of Opposition Leader Raila Odinga. 

“This is a major breakthrough for the Eastern Africa region to present candidates for the position of Chairperson of the AUC,” said Mudavadi.

“It is now clear that the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga will be in the race for the AU Commission Chairperson.Effectively, there are no more technical or legal hurdles preventing Kenya from submitting its candidate,” he added.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said there are no more hurdles peventing Kenya  from submitting the candidate for that position even as he described  the decision  as a major breakthrough for the East African region to present candidates for the post. 

Mudavadi who is also the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary said  Kenya will work closely  with the 14 member state  Eastern Africa  region  to build consensus  around its candidate. 

The decision also provides that the Northern African region will front candidates for the Deputy Chairperson while the other three regions, Central, Southern and Western will compete for the six positions of commissioners.

He stated that these efforts are continuous and will continue to include all the other regions to ensure that the opportunity for electing effective leadership of the AUC provides a platform for uniting the entire continent.