The elections to determine the new head of the AU Commission, replacing the current Chadian politician Moussa Faki Mahamat, are scheduled for February 2025.

The 78-year-old politician, who leads the Kenyan opposition coalition Azimio, declared his candidacy for the AU chairmanship in February.

On March 8, Kagame welcomed Odinga to his office for discussions on regional and continental matters, as reported by Rwanda’s Presidency.

“It’s no secret. I told him Rwanda would support him. I wish him well,” Kagame said in an interview with NTV, broadcasted on Tuesday, March 12.

Kagame also commended Odinga’s performance during his tenure as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development, a position he held from 2018 to 2023.

“He [Mr Odinga] did a good job at that. He had a full grasp of it,” he said.

“Not only will we support him to be there, but also when he is there, we will support him for Africa to succeed,” he added Kagame.

In late February, Odinga, a trained mechanical engineer, had already secured endorsements from Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu, Salva Kiir of South Sudan, as well as William Ruto of Kenya, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.

A new chairperson of the continental body will be elected in 2025 to succeed Mahamat.

Former Somali Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam has also announced her candidacy for the AU Commission presidency, aiming to become the second woman to lead the continental body after South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

So far, Odinga and Adam are the only ones to have declared their candidacy for the leadership of the continental body.

President Kagame has endorses Odinga's candidacy for AU Commission Chairmanship.