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Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said the East Africa region is ready to produce the next chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Mudavadi, who is also the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary said the region is ripe and it will front a candidate for the position.
“South, Central and West Africa have had a share in serving as chair at various times since 2002. East and North Africa are yet to have that opportunity,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi spoke during a media briefing on the sidelines of the ongoing 44th Ordinary Session of the AU’s Executive Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This is ahead of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government from AU member states coming up on February 17-18, 2024.
President William Ruto is expected to attend the Heads of State and government sessions.
“We shall be putting forward a substantial case as East Africa through key consultations amongst the East Africa Member States when we settle on our candidate,” Mudavadi said.
He also emphasised the need for African nations to ensure that peace prevails at all times with high levels of security being guaranteed to the citizenry of the continent.
“Peace is key to every step towards prosperity within the society, not only economically but also socially. There are no winners in wars and there are no losers where there is peace,” he said.
Mudavadi also outlined the benefits of AU’s participation in the Group of 20 (G20) and the need to deepen the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement moving forward.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary made the remarks hours after former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed Azimio leader Raila Odinga for the position of chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Obasanjo said he has no doubt that Raila is a viable candidate for the position if he is supported by the East African region.