Raila Amolo Odinga, who served as Kenya’s Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013, has declared his interest in bidding for the position of chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) to replace H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, whose term comes to an end this year.
The announcement has since animated Kenya’s discussions, with the majority expectedly viewing it through a political lens. Curiously, the loudest support has come from the government side.
The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Amani National Congress (ANC), both of which are part of the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, have thrown their weight behind Raila Odinga’s candidature.
Raila’s Azimio coalition has yet to exhibit a similar confidence. From what seemed like a hurriedly organized press briefing to uncoordinated announcements by luminaries in the alliance, Azimio appears to be groping in the dark as it navigates the ‘uncharted territory’.
It deserves to examine the development beyond our usual animated political frame of mind.
Odinga’s Vision: A United Africa at the Global Center
Flanked by HE Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former President, Raila Odinga, shared a brief behind his desire to serve the AU. An avowed pan-Africanist, he explained his desire to centre the continent within the global system rightly.
The paradox of a resource-rich continent languishing in poverty is one thing he opines needs to be addressed. He points out this can be handled through continental unity and by leveraging extant complementary opportunities.
The persistent migration crisis plaguing Africa did not escape his mention either, with lives lost en route to the search for a more fulfilling life outside the continent. As a basis for his suitability, he references his experience, having previously served as the AU’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.
There is little doubt about Raila’s experience and knowledge of Africa’s challenges, needs and aspirations. Africa’s richness is anchored in its vastness in size, population, and natural resources. It is home to approximately 1.3 billion people, inhabiting a geographical expanse of 30 million square kilometres.
On the other hand, its poverty is borne out by some indicators. Slightly over half of the 700 million people categorized as living in extreme poverty are in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Bank.
The continent’s global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) share is a paltry 3% despite commanding 18% of the worldwide population. Europe, which commands half of Africa’s global share of population at 9%, controls 20% of the worldwide GDP.
Numerous challenges have been identified as contributing to Africa’s sub-optimal performance. They are political, economic, security, and diplomatic. Some are internal to the continent, while some are external.
As Raila points out, centring Africa’s place globally through the positive exploitation of its resources should naturally be a shared interest, especially among Africans and in Africa. The existence of the AU is intended to achieve this. Some initiatives have been birthed for the purpose.
Free Trade and Beyond Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potential
An outstanding example is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), currently the largest free trade area in the world. If well implemented, it is estimated to hold the potential to create 18 million jobs while boosting real income by $300 billion by 2035. Now in its fourth year, the jury on AfCFTA impact is still out there.
Ultimate success, however, lies partly in freeing Africa from the bondage of international interests. It is a critical challenge that any AU leadership must confront. The sad reality is that Africa’s bane is a boon for some global interests.
The Sentry has, for instance, documented how international interests continue to enslave the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to perpetual instability. Foreign companies ‘enjoy’ a free hand in exploiting minerals in the eastern part of the country.
Overcoming External Influence in Africa
AU should lead from the front in weaving an African narrative and building fortifications strong enough to withstand continued desire by foreign players to create cleavages and proceed to exploit them at Africa’s expense. Africa’s profile should be raised to that of a player, not a pawn in the global chess game.
Recently, France announced its intention to hold a humanitarian conference for Sudan later in April. That it is a European country and not an African country, or AU, leading such conversations is just as baffling as it is unsettling.
If successful, Raila Odinga may want to lead the quest to reverse Africa’s narrative and role on the global stage.
