{"id":76601,"date":"2024-09-11T14:20:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T14:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/namibia-mum-on-odingas-au-chairmanship-bid"},"modified":"2024-09-11T14:20:00","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T14:20:00","slug":"namibia-mum-on-odingas-au-chairmanship-bid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/namibia-mum-on-odingas-au-chairmanship-bid","title":{"rendered":"Namibia mum on Odinga\u2019s AU chairmanship bid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. <\/strong><\/span>While expressing confidence in veteran Kenyan politician Raila Odinga\u2019s candidature for the African Union\u2019s top post, Namibia has elected not to endorse anyone.<\/p>\n

Odinga, a former Kenyan prime minister, is gunning for chairpersonship of the African Union Commission (AUC).<\/p>\n

Namibia\u2019s stance was elaborated by the country\u2019s foremost diplomat, international relations minister Peya Mushelenga, following high-level diplomatic consultations between Namibia and Kenya in Windhoek.<\/p>\n

Yesterday, Mushelenga met Kenya\u2019s prime cabinet secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, to review several bilateral issues.<\/p>\n

Reports from Kenya suggested that Mudavadi also used the platform to drum up support for Odinga\u2019s AUC bid during their talks, which were held behind closed doors.<\/p>\n

During a telephonic interview, Mushelenga explained that Namibia follows a long-standing tradition of not endorsing any candidates for such positions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is our tradition that Namibia does not pronounce itself on any candidature. You have never heard about it in the past 34 years. Your question is premature,\u201d Mushelenga said.<\/p>\n

He further elaborated that this time, the AUC chairmanship falls under the Eastern African region.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe in a rotational system to allow countries from different regions who have not yet served in such roles to contest,\u201d Mushelenga stated.<\/p>\n

He said Namibia will not be fielding any candidate, as the country supports the principle of regional rotation, and the AUC election process was still in its early stages.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are procedures to follow, including interviews and elections, which are still far off,\u201d he said, adding that Namibia respects these formal processes but will not participate in them.<\/p>\n

Namibia, however, believes Odinga is a worthy candidate for the AUC chair.<\/p>\n

In contrast, Namibia\u2019s official opposition leader, McHenry Venaani, has publicly backed Odinga\u2019s bid, praising him as \u201cone of Africa\u2019s most visionary politicians.\u201d<\/p>\n

Odinga, a veteran Kenyan politician, is among four candidates who have declared interest in running for the position.<\/p>\n

The others are Djiboutian foreign minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Somalia\u2019s former foreign minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam, and former Seychellois vice president Vincent Meriton. Their countries have already given them backing.<\/p>\n

Diplomatic talks<\/p>\n

In addition, trade, regional cooperation, and the implementation of decisions made during the inaugural session of the Namibia-Kenya Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) held in 2023 were key areas of discussion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe progress made since the JPCC\u2019s first session has been significant, but there is more to be done. We have directed our senior officials to fully implement all signed bilateral agreements, joint projects, and programmes,\u201d said Mushelenga.<\/p>\n

In the spirit of strengthening economic ties, both parties emphasised the critical role of trade in promoting economic growth.<\/p>\n

Mudavadi said trade between Namibia and Kenya holds immense potential.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement (TFTA), there are opportunities we can seize to benefit our economies and people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mudavadi also highlighted the potential for collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, education, and infrastructure, noting that the two nations could play pivotal roles in boosting regional development through these sectors.<\/p>\n

The ministers confirmed that Namibia will host the second session of the JPCC in 2025, further underscoring their commitment to deepening cooperation across multiple areas of mutual interest.<\/p>\n

Elections<\/p>\n

As Namibia prepares for its general elections, Mudavadi extended best wishes to the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wish the people of Namibia and all African Union member states a peaceful and successful election period,\u201d he remarked, reaffirming Kenya\u2019s commitment to supporting peaceful democratic processes across the continent.<\/p>\n

The talks also addressed international and regional security issues.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Kenya reaffirmed its backing of Namibia\u2019s Anne-Marie Nainda for vice president of Interpol Africa.<\/p>\n

Both ministers expressed concern over ongoing conflicts in Africa, especially in regions experiencing political instability and violence. They highlighted the importance of joint diplomatic efforts to address these challenges and promote peaceful resolutions.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeace and security are essential for the prosperity of our continent. We remain committed to working with our African and international partners to achieve lasting peace,\u201d said Mushelenga.<\/p>\n

The two leaders also discussed international efforts to enhance security cooperation within the AU and across the continent, expressing optimism about future collaboration.<\/p>\n

Cooperation<\/p>\n

The consultations concluded with both ministers expressing gratitude for the positive and constructive atmosphere of the discussions.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur shared values of friendship and cooperation are what make these consultations so fruitful,\u201d said Mudavadi.<\/p>\n

Both Namibia and Kenya aim to build on their historical ties to ensure mutual growth and contribute to the broader goals of African unity and development.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, the two nations continue to position themselves as key players in fostering regional development, cooperation, and security across Africa, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening their bilateral relations.<\/p>\n

(Namibia-Kenya)<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Namibia<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. While expressing confidence in veteran Kenyan politician Raila Odinga\u2019s candidature for the African Union\u2019s top post, Namibia has elected not to endorse anyone. Odinga, a former Kenyan prime minister, is gunning for chairpersonship of the African Union Commission (AUC). Namibia\u2019s stance was elaborated by the country\u2019s foremost diplomat, international relations minister Peya […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":76600,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,7,12,249],"tags":[234,236,233],"class_list":["post-76601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-head-lines","category-policy","category-to-homepage","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-namibia","tag-namibia"],"yoast_head":"\nNamibia mum on Odinga\u2019s AU chairmanship bid - Namibia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/namibia-mum-on-odingas-au-chairmanship-bid\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Namibia mum on Odinga\u2019s AU chairmanship bid\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Africa-Press – Namibia. While expressing confidence in veteran Kenyan politician Raila Odinga\u2019s candidature for the African Union\u2019s top post, Namibia has elected not to endorse anyone. Odinga, a former Kenyan prime minister, is gunning for chairpersonship of the African Union Commission (AUC). 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