As voting day draws closer, Ugandan contender of the African Union top seat, Dr Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, is seeking support from her country's Parliament.

The former vice president asked Uganda's Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to use her office and connections across the continent to rally for her support. Parliament, Dr Kazibwe said, has a strong influence on decisions.

“I need the blessing because the works of Africa need the parliaments of Africa. Because without the parliaments of Africa passing the budges, then we can’t do what need to do to take Africa forward,” she said.

“The people of Africa need the best representation and the people who are elected by the people are the parliamentarians and they have all the tools to ensure they get the best,” she added.

The African Union heads of state will meet in Kigali, Rwanda on July 17 to elect the chairperson to take over from South Africa’s Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, whose tenure comes to an end.

Dr Kazibwe, 60, is pitted against Botswana’s Dr Pelomin Venson-Moitio, 65, and Equatorial Guinea’s Agapito Mba Mokuy, 51.

Ms Kadaga assured Dr Kazibwe of Parliament’s support. “I don’t know whether you really have competition because your CV puts you ahead of all the other candidates. We will seat and debate your candidature,” Ms Kadaga said. “Members here have a big network in the parliaments of Africa and so we can use them to garner support for you.”

Algerian Ramtane Lamamra and former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete are also said to likely join the race for the African Union Commission chairperson.