Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya, is one of the top contenders in the upcoming African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson election, scheduled for February 15-16, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Odinga has reportedly garnered strong support from at least 28 African nations, with 19 heads of state publicly backing his bid.

Odinga’s candidacy is backed by the following countries:

• Kenya
• Uganda
• Tanzania
• Senegal
• Guinea Bissau
• Togo
• Gambia
• Zambia
• Malawi
• Zimbabwe
• Equatorial Guinea
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Rwanda
• Burundi
• Ghana
• Seychelles
• Mauritius
• Algeria
• South Sudan
• Eritrea

The election process involves voting by secret ballot, and if no candidate achieves the necessary two-thirds majority in the first round, further rounds will follow until a winner is determined. If no candidate secures the majority after the third round, the election will be suspended.

It’s important to note that six countries, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Niger, and Gabon, will not participate due to sanctions resulting from political instability.

As the election date approaches, Odinga will compete with Mohamoud Youssouf of Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.