In what seems as new paradigm shift of regional cooperation, ODM leader Raila Odinga continues to play a key role in uniting African leadership despite failing to capture presidential seat in four outings.
At Addis Ababa on Monday, Mr Odinga held sideline talks with his traditional political nemesis and President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni. The duo was pictured having a conversation in the ongoing AU-NEPAD summit.
After their meeting, Museveni took to his official Twitter account where he posted a photo of Raila and him. It was accompanied by a passionate message whose aim was giving the continent hope.
"The big question then, for us contemporary leaders, is what have we done since independence to make Africa stronger and ready to counter any exogenous threats or shall we be caught napping like those tribal leaders of old?
"Later today, I will share a detailed presentation that I will make to the African Union Heads of State on the subject of political integration, where I will propose some answers to these questions," he wrote on Twitter.
For decades now, Museveni has opposed Mr Odinga's candidature and was even quick to blame him of 2007/08 post election violence that saw part of Kenya-Uganda railway uprooted in Kibra, a region that has traditionally supported Mr Odinga.
In 2013, Museveni also backed Uhuru Kenyatta, the eventual winner of hotly contested elections despite Mr Odinga's formidable campaigns to take over from Mwai Kibaki.
The two leaders also had a confrontation over Migingo Island, with Mr Odinga, then as Prime Minister, recommending military intervention to block Uganda from what he called 'forceful occupation'.
The recent cooperation between Odinga and several African Head of States could open a new chapter in his political life which includes regional backing in 2022 polls.
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