Gambiaj.com – (NAIROBI, Kenya) – Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s campaign for the African Union (AU) Chairmanship continues to gain traction, with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye pledging his support during a meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto in New York.

At 44, President Faye, the continent’s youngest leader, was elected on March 24 and has prioritized fighting corruption, injustice, and poverty, vowing to bring “systemic changes” to Senegal. A statement from the presidency confirmed that the meeting took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Raila faces competition from candidates representing Djibouti, Mauritius, and Madagascar, all of whom are vying to replace the outgoing AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat. The African Union Commission has called for candidates to apply for the positions of Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and six Commissioner posts ahead of the February 2025 elections.

Odinga’s campaign received a significant boost when former Somali Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam withdrew his bid and declared his support for the Kenyan opposition leader.

President William Ruto, who arrived in New York on September 21 for the 79th United Nations General Assembly, has been actively lobbying for Odinga’s candidacy. Earlier this month, Ruto met with six African presidents during a visit to Beijing, China, to rally support for Odinga’s bid.

The leaders Ruto engaged included Presidents Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo, Assimi Goita of Mali, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Mahamat Idriss Déby of Chad, and Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia.

Additionally, a coalition of youth leaders from 13 African nations has endorsed Odinga’s candidature for the AU Chair. Under the Pan-African Youth Convention and other major African youth groups, they praised his vision for the continent, describing it as bold and authentic.

“He is unafraid to confront the real challenges Africa faces,” the youth groups stated. “He is optimistic, passionate, and driven by a desire to bring about progressive change. Raila is clear and honest about what needs to be done and the role the AU Commission must play in achieving that change.”

The statement emphasized their confidence in Odinga’s ability to make a transformative impact on the continent: “He stands ready to make the much-awaited difference.”