Raila Odinga’s role as AU envoy ends

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s mandate as an African Union (AU) special envoy has come to an end.

Odinga has been AU’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa since October 20, 2018.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in a letter dated February 19, thanked Odinga for his service and wished him well in future.

He said the African Union Development Agency - New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD) will take over the role.

“Your exceptional leadership and unique command of the issues concerned has been crucial to the leveraging of infrastructure as a key priority within the Continental agenda. The transformation of the NEPAD agency to the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD has now been completed, with full mandate to implement the Continental agenda on infrastructure,” Mahamat said.

“Your role in this journey, Excellency, has been invaluable. Allow me to express my profound gratitude for accepting to serve in this role during the transition period, which has now come to a happy conclusion,” he added.

The African Union Chairperson noted that Odinga will still remain a valuable person to the Union.

“The African Union hopes to continue counting on your support for other possible assignments. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavours. Please accept, Excellency, the expression of my highest consideration and personal esteem,” the letter added.

Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, confirmed the news in a tweet on Thursday and also thanked Odinga for his service.

Odinga’s 2018 appointment was part of the African Union’s drive to expedite the integration of the continent through infrastructure, in order to promote economic growth and sustainable development.

Under the role, Odinga was expected to mobilise further political support from AU member states and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and facilitating greater ownership by all concerned stakeholders on the continent.

It also included a focus on the continental high-speed train, which is one of the flagship projects of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063.

He in particular was tasked with paying special attention to the missing links along the transnational highway corridors identified as part of the Trans-African Highways Network, with a view to facilitating their development and modernisation.