President William Ruto has continued to seek support for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship candidature.
Ruto campaigns for Raila
Ruto on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, held a meeting with Togolese president Faure Essozimna and Malian president Colonel Assimi Goita on the sidelines of the ongoing Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing, China.
The meeting was also attended by Raila, who was recently launched by President Ruto as Kenya’s candidate in the February 2025 AUC chairmanship contest.
Ruto in a statement shared via his official X account disclosed that support for the candidature of Raila was discussed during the meeting.
The Head of State also stated that he had discussed issues that touched on a pan-African Congress that is set to be held in Lome, Togo, later in the year.
Ruto on Pan-Africanism
Ruto further lauded Pan-Africanism as an ideal platform to harness unity within the continent and the Diaspora.
According to Ruto, Pan-Africanism will enable countries and organisations with a common agenda to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the African Union Agenda 2063 and the reforms of the United Nations.
“Pan-Africanism is an ideal platform to harness unity within the continent and the Diaspora. It will enable countries and organisations with a common agenda to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the African Union Agenda 2063 and the reforms of the United Nations.
“Held talks with Presidents Faure Essozimna of Togo and Colonel Assimi Goita of Mali on a pan-African Congress to be held in Lome, Togo, later in the year. Also discussed support for the candidature of the Rt Hon. Raila Odinga for the position of the chairperson of the African Union Commission,” Ruto stated.
Pan-Africanism is an ideal platform to harness unity within the continent and the Diaspora. It will enable countries and organisations with a common agenda to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the African Union Agenda 2063 and the reforms of the United Nations.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) September 4, 2024
Held… pic.twitter.com/S6ChjGI7im
Raila’s China tour
Raila landed in Beijing, China, in the company of President William Ruto on September 2, 2024, to attend the forum on China-Africa Cooperation which kicked off from today Wednesday, September 4, 2024, until Friday, September 6, 2024.
Raila is also set to attend a state banquet hosted by China President Xi Jinping later on in the day.
According to Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei who heads Raila’s secretariat for his African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid, the former prime Minister is not in China to lobby.
At least 30 heads of state from Africa and over 40 ministers of foreign affairs are attending the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Raila’s AUC candidature
President Ruto on Tuesday, August 26, hosted East Africa Community heads of state and other top officials from the region at State House, Nairobi, to launch Raila’s AUC bid.
Presidents Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Samia Suluhu (Tanzania) and Silva Kiir (South Sudan) attended the event.
During the launch, Raila expressed gratitude for the support from Kenyan and Eastern African leaders.
Raila is expected to hit the ground running in the coming days with a whirlwind of trips across African capitals to engage with presidents and seek their support for the top continental job.
Raila faces competition from other candidates, including Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Anil Gayan, and Richard James, in the upcoming African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson elections set for February 2025.
To win, a candidate needs to secure at least two-thirds of the votes or approximately 36 out of 54.
