Tanzania, March 7 -- Arusha. The East African Community (EAC) leaders will back one candidate for chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC).

This was announced in Nairobi on Tuesday by President William Ruto of Kenya when addressing the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala).

Two candidates from the region, Mr Raila Odinga of Kenya and former Somalia foreign minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam, will contest for the position.

But the Kenyan leader told the regional lawmakers that the East African presidents have agreed to support one candidate for the chairmanship.

"We have sat down in the spirit of the EAC, we have consulted as Heads of State and we have agreed to front one candidate," he was quoted saying by the Kenya press.

Accor...