Raila’s AUC Campaign Sizzles: African Presidents Meet in Beijing (PHOTOS)
Raila Odinga’s campaign for the African Union Chairmanship is gaining momentum as President William Ruto seeks support from African leaders during his visit to China.
Accompanied by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, President Ruto engaged in discussions with six presidents, including Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, Assimi Goita of Mali, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Umaro Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Mahamat Deby of Chad, and Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia.
Throughout these meetings, Raila’s candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson was a focal point, with Raila participating in the talks.
At the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which saw the attendance of twenty heads of state, Uganda was the only East African Community (EAC) member without its president present.
During his time in China, President Ruto praised Pan-Africanism as a crucial platform for promoting unity across the continent and the diaspora.
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He emphasized that Pan-Africanism allows for collaborative discussions on common goals, including the African Union Agenda 2063 and UN reforms, sharing photos with several fellow leaders.
In his conversation with Paul Kagame, President Ruto highlighted Rwanda’s role as a valuable ally and strategic partner, noting their shared diplomatic, historical, and cultural connections, as well as their joint commitment to the East African Community’s integration efforts.
President Ruto also mentioned ongoing discussions with Chad to boost diplomatic relations in trade, regional security, and climate action.
Regarding Kenya’s relationship with Guinea-Bissau, he emphasized their joint efforts to advance the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, aiming to enhance bilateral trade for mutual benefit.
Reflecting on Kenya-Zambia relations, President Ruto recalled their long-standing history and expressed the intent to further strengthen collaboration in trade, agriculture, and ICT within the COMESA framework.
All eight East African Community members have pledged their support for Raila’s candidacy. To date, over 19 countries have committed to voting for him in February 2025 at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Raila’s AUC Campaign Sizzles: African Presidents Meet in Beijing (PHOTOS)
