Raila Odinga's bid for the chairpersonship of the African Union Commission has received a significant boost with Angola and Guinea-Bissau committing their support for the former Kenyan Prime Minister.
This development comes on the heels of Ghana's recent endorsement, solidifying Raila's candidacy as he actively campaigns for the position.
Angola's Ambassador to Kenya Sianga Abilio has expressed the nation's support for Raila, assuring that they will stand by Kenya's choice.
Similarly, during President William Ruto's state visit to Guinea-Bissau, the West African nation also pledged its backing for the Kenyan candidate.
This aligns with the growing consensus among several countries including Rwanda and Uganda who have voiced their endorsement of Raila's bid.
President Ruto has been leading the Kenyan government's efforts to rally regional support for Raila.
The elections for the AUC chairpersonship are slated for February and the victor will require the support of two-thirds of AU member states if a consensus cannot be reached.
Beyond the chairpersonship race, Angola is considering implementing visa-free travel for Kenyans, reciprocating Kenya's efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.
Ambassador Abilio highlights potential areas for cooperation and investment opportunities between the two nations, particularly in the oil and mineral exploration sectors where Angola possesses significant expertise.
However, he acknowledges that investing in the oil sector requires substantial capital, which may pose a challenge for African nations.
"Kenyans have developed their tourism industry and possess a similar level of biodiversity. We are a peaceful nation, inviting others to join us and form partnerships in the field of tourism," Abilio says, emphasizing the potential for collaboration beyond the extractive industries.
Furthermore, Abilio reflects on Angola's difficult history with the civil war, stressing the importance of promoting disarmament and integration to save lives.
Angola is actively involved in peace initiatives in the conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo with President João Lourenço leading the Luanda process which mediates between DRC and Rwanda, running parallel to the Nairobi process.
As the race for the AUC chairpersonship intensifies, Raila Odinga's candidacy has gained significant momentum, with key African nations throwing their weight behind the Kenyan statesman.