By Staff Reporter
FORMER Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has met the SADC chairperson as he escalates the diplomatic offensive to garner support for continental organ’s post.
Speaking after meeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House, Monday, Odinga said a blueprint towards the continent’s development had to be crafted.
Odinga, who has put forward his name for election to the African Union Commission’s (AUC) chairmanship, was in Zimbabwe as part of his campaign.
Elections are set for February this year.
“As you know I announced my candidature for chair of the AU and as part of that I have been visiting African countries,” said Odinga.
“Mnangagwa is the country chair of SADC so it was important that I visit Harare.”
Odinga will be touring the rest of the southern Africa region on his campaign trail.
“Africa has a bright future (but) we must have a clear roadmap and blueprint on how to develop it,” he said.
“Foreigners only come to Africa to make money so Africa will be developed by Africans themselves.
“We have 55 states in Africa and are looking towards how these can be integrated so that they benefit from its resources.
“It is the richest continent on the planet but the paradox is that Africans are the poorest in terms of living standards.”
The AUC is the AU’s secretariat and undertakes the day-to-day activities of the Union. It should not be confused with the AU, itself headed by Mohamed Ould Cheikh Mohamed Ahmed Ould Ghazouani, the ninth President of Mauritania.
