Raila Faces Fresh Challenge as New Candidate Enters AUC Chair Race

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga encountered a new challenge on Wednesday as Seychelles announced its candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson position.

This development comes at a time when Djibouti and Somalia have also put forward their own candidates.

In a statement from the Seychelles Foreign Affairs Department, the East African nation revealed its endorsement of Vincent Meriton, who previously served as Seychelles' Vice President and Foreign Minister.

“The Foreign Affairs Department wishes to announce that the Government of Seychelles has endorsed the candidature of Vincent Meriton for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) in the election scheduled to take place in February 2025,” the statement read.

Seychelles highlighted Meriton's extensive experience in championing the country's position on the Blue Economy on the international stage, making him a suitable candidate for the role.

Should Meriton win the position, it was stated that he would focus on improving the implementation rate of the Commission’s executive decisions by addressing barriers to implementation and promoting accountability and compliance.

Raila Odinga was the first to express interest in the AUC Chairperson position, which will become vacant in February 2025. Following his announcement, Somalia nominated former Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam as a contender, and Djibouti subsequently put forward their Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Youssouf.

The AUC Chairperson seat rotates among regions, and it is now East Africa’s turn to nominate a candidate to replace the current chair, Moussa Faki from Chad.