President Paul Kagame has said he will endorse Kenyan politician Raila Odinga, one of two candidates who have announced their bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission.

Elections for the new AU Commission chairperson to replace the current head, Chadian politician Moussa Faki Mahamat, are scheduled for February 2025.

The 78-year-old politician who leads Kenya’s opposition coalition Azimio, announced his candidacy for the AU top job in February.

On March 8, Kagame received him in his office for a discussion on issues of regional and continental interest, Village Urugwiro said then.

“I respect Raila Odinga; I know his struggles,” Kagame said in an interview with Kenyan broadcaster NTV, aired on Tuesday, March 12.

Kagame commended the performance of the Kenyan politician when he was AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development, a position he held from 2018 to 2023.

“He did a good job of that, [and had] full grasp of it. We will give him our support, and wish him well,” the President said.

“And not only the support to be there, but even when he is there, we’ll give him support for Africa to succeed.”

In late February, Odinga, who is a mechanical engineer by training, said he had already secured the support of Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir.

He also had the backing of Kenya’s William Ruto and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni.

The African Union Commission is the AU’s secretariat which undertakes the day-to-day activities of the Union.

The chairman of the AU Commission is elected by the continental body’s general assembly, for a four-year term that is renewed once.