Boost for Raila as South Sudan backs his AUC bid

Hours before the election of the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson is held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid continues to attract support from leaders across the continent who vouch for his election to succeed incumbent Moussa Faki.

Ambassador Albino Aboug, a Member of Parliament from South Sudan who doubles up as a Pan-African Parliament member, has joined those supporting Odinga’s bid due to his democratic credentials.

"Raila has a very good chance of becoming the next chair, looking into his background as a Pan-Africanist. The kind of freedom you're enjoying today, somebody, somewhere, somehow has fought for it, and it wasn't easy to have such freedom if nobody would have fought for it," Aboug said.

Aboug said South Sudan’s decision to back Odinga’s bid is due to Kenya’s cordial relationship with his nation.

He also opined that under Odinga’s leadership, issues related to conflicts in the eastern region, specifically in Sudan, South Sudan, and DR Congo, will be addressed as he enjoys good rapport with regional leaders.

"(As) South Sudan, we have declared we will support Raila. Culturally, Kenya and South Sudan are brothers, and you don't choose your neighbours. Today is an opportunity for Kenya; tomorrow, who knows, it could be an opportunity for South Sudan," Aboug said.

Having served as a special envoy and engaged in AU activities, Aboug said Saturday’s election will not be influenced by language and regional blocs but will largely depend on how the three candidates have convinced the Heads of State and the common interests among those nations.

"It is about interests – what is Kenya offering for other countries and what is Djibouti offering for other nations? Likewise, what are the other countries offering to Kenyans? Every opportunity for Kenya is an opportunity for the region, an opportunity for the continent," he stated.

Aboug, who attributes Africa’s problems to poor leadership, unemployment, exploitation of resources, conflicts, and tribalism, said the new leadership at the African Union Commission should focus on resolving these challenges head-on.

"If he wins, I will tell him as somebody who has been in the African Union, knowing a little bit, I will advise him to engage, especially with the youth of the continent," he added.

He has urged Kenyans to rally behind Odinga’s candidature, whom he says enjoys good support from Eastern and Southern African nations ahead of the elections.