Raila Odinga Criticizes African Leaders’ Attendance at China-Africa Summit: “Changes We Want to Make”
ODM leader Raila Odinga criticized some African Heads of State’s decision to attend the ongoing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing, China.
Speaking in Bondo, Siaya County, Odinga questioned the need for over 40 presidents to travel to China for the summit.
Instead, Odinga stressed that it should be the Chinese delegation visiting Africa to engage with the continent’s leaders.
“I believe Africa is underperforming and can do better. I’ve seen African leaders attending summits like FOCAC, where nearly 40 heads of state were present,” Raila remarked.
“But I ask, why should African leaders go to China? The Chinese should come to Africa, and these are the changes we want to make.”
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Odinga, doubling down on his stance, vowed to implement reforms across the continent if elected as the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson.
He emphasized that Africa, despite its challenges, has the potential to emerge as the most prosperous continent globally.
“Africa can perform at its true potential, and that’s what I aim for. Africa has been undermined and exploited, but we must stop complaining and take action,” Raila declared.
Odinga’s remarks follow his recent participation at the summit in China alongside President William Ruto and other African Heads of State.
During their visit, Raila and Ruto met with six African leaders to bolster support for Odinga’s candidacy for the top AU position.
“We met President Paul Kagame of Rwanda in Beijing, China, to discuss strengthening our ties and Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Commission chair,” Ruto shared on his X platform.
Additionally, during the summit, Ruto engaged with the presidents of Togo, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Chad, and Zambia.
Raila Odinga Criticizes African Leaders’ Attendance at China-Africa Summit: “Changes We Want to Make”