Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga wrapped up his campaign for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission on Wednesday with a visit to Burundi, where he met with President Evariste Ndayishimiye in Bujumbura.
During their meeting, Ndayishimiye expressed his support for Raila ahead of the eagerly awaited elections on Saturday.
“I concluded my campaign activities in Bujumbura, Burundi, today. I thank H.E. President Evariste Ndayishimiye for honouring me with a warm reception,” he stated.
The Kenyan candidate, who will compete against Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahamoud Youssouf, and former Madagascar Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato, expressed confidence that he has convinced a majority of leaders across the continent to support his bid to become the new AUC Chair.
Raila needs to secure at least two-thirds of the votes from the 49 AU member states to win in the first round.
“As I head to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the final stretch, I solemnly thank you all for your unwavering support and prayers throughout the journey of my candidacy for the African Union Commission Chairmanship,” he said.
He also indicated that his bid is not a matter of life and death. He noted that his candidacy alone is already an achievement, regardless of the election outcome.
“I believe that, by God’s will, we will win. If we win, we will have achieved success; if we lose, we will still have achieved something worthwhile,” he said during a special prayer service organized by the ODM Women’s League to wish him well in the upcoming poll.
