Ruto Receives Boost in Raila’s AU Bid as Angola and Guinea Bissau Endorse
President William Ruto’s diplomatic initiatives in West Africa have strengthened backing for opposition figure Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship. This week, Ghana, Angola, and Guinea-Bissau have affirmed their support for Odinga’s candidacy.
Angola’s Ambassador to Kenya, Sianga Abilio, expressed his nation’s commitment, asserting, “Angola is aware and is working on that issue and will not let Kenya, as a brother, down.”
These statements were issued at a ceremony marking the 22nd anniversary of the conclusion of Angola’s civil war, held at the Angolan Embassy in Nairobi on Thursday, April 4th.
President Ruto’s visit to Guinea-Bissau on Friday, April 5, further solidified Raila’s support base, with Ruto stating, “I thank His Excellency (Gen Umaro Sissoco Embalo) most sincerely for accepting to support Kenya’s candidature for the AUC Chairperson for the 2025-2028 period.”
Ruto’s thankful acknowledgment underscores the importance of gaining support from West African countries for Raila’s candidacy for AU leadership.
“Kenya’s candidature is informed by the role we play in enhancing and sustaining the Pan-African agenda. We hope to work with all member States in the African Union’s endeavor to achieve Agenda 2063,” he stated.
Earlier this week, Raila gained substantial momentum when he obtained the backing of Ghana, a development that was disclosed by President Ruto personally.
Raila is increasingly seen as a leading candidate for the position amidst competition from Somalia’s ex-Foreign Affairs Minister, Fawzia Yusuf Adam, thanks to support from multiple countries.
Rwanda and Uganda have committed their backing as well, after Raila’s discussions with Presidents Paul Kagame and Yoweri Museveni. Ruto stressed the unity of the East African region in supporting Raila’s bid to replace the departing chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
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Raila has engaged in significant diplomatic initiatives, traveling to different countries to garner support for the reserved Eastern Africa seat, while Ruto has been actively boosting backing for the opposition leader’s candidacy.
Nairobi is actively seeking regional consensus to bolster Raila’s candidacy, with Ruto rallying support from neighboring countries.
The upcoming elections for the AU Commission chairperson position, scheduled for February next year, require the victor to secure two-thirds support from AU member states in the absence of a consensus.
The race for the continent’s top job has intensified following decisions made in the Executive Council Ministerial meeting on Tuesday, April 2.
The council granted the Eastern region the authority to nominate the chairperson, while the Northern region will nominate the deputy chairperson.
Furthermore, the council stipulated gender diversity, mandating that if the elected chairperson is male, the deputy must be female, and vice versa.
“The Eastern region shall submit candidates for the position of the chairperson. The Northern region shall submit candidates for the position of the deputy chairperson,” the council directed.
Ruto Receives Boost in Raila’s AU Bid as Angola and Guinea Bissau Endorse
