The Ambassador met His Excellency Raila Amolo Odinga, Former Prime Minister of Kenya and current candidate for Chairman of the African Union Commission.

It was a frank and wide-ranging discussion. In addition to growing endorsement from African leaders and a growing consensus that he has the ideal profile for the job, Mr. Odinga has been active in engagements across the continent and beyond.  Odinga outlined a vision for an integrated, self-sufficient, and resilient Africa, drawing on historical lessons and current opportunities.

Odinga, was the African Union Commission’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa from 2018 to 2023, highlighted the continent’s significant infrastructural challenges and the need for a fit-for-purpose African Union (AU) to address threats to democratic gains, social order, economic marginalization, and external insecurity.

Odinga identified six critical areas of focus:

1. establishing democracy,
2. preventing conflict and coups,
3. avoiding proxy wars,
4. addressing poverty and opportunity,
5. navigating geopolitical interests, and
6. preparing for climate change.

Ambassador Murphy gave him an in-depth brief of the singular diplomatic and humanitarian nature of the Order.  Carefully outlining the following points:

1. Our non-political nature with the world’s sick and poor as our constituents.
2. Our specific humanitarian activities in Africa.
3. The special characteristics of the Order’s diplomatic activities.
4. The existence of false orders in Africa and the challenge it presents to our activities.
5. The African countries we have bi-lateral relations with and the priority countries we are seeking relations with.

Both look forward to cooperating in the future for the benefit of Africa.