Raila Odinga’s AU Commission Chairmanship Campaign Gains Momentum as Ruto Engages African Leaders in China
In a significant boost to Raila Odinga’s campaign for the African Union Commission chairmanship, President William Ruto has actively sought support from several African heads of state during his visit to Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit. This move follows the recent launch of Odinga’s candidacy at State House Nairobi, an event attended by Ruto himself.
Upon arriving in Beijing, President Ruto began a concerted effort to rally support for Odinga’s bid. In meetings with various African leaders, including Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé and Mali’s Assimi Goita, Ruto emphasized Odinga’s qualifications for the AU Commission chairmanship. “We discussed the support for the candidature of Rt Hon. Raila Odinga for the position of the African Union Commission chairperson,” Ruto stated on social media.
The President also met with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who is currently the chair of COMESA. Ruto expressed gratitude for Hichilema’s leadership and discussed backing Odinga’s candidacy. “In Beijing, I held talks with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and deliberated on support for Rt Hon. Raila Odinga’s candidature,” Ruto confirmed.
Additionally, Ruto engaged with several other key figures, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Chad’s President Mahamat Idris Déby, and Guinea-Bissau’s President Général Umaro El Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo, in a bid to bolster Odinga’s support across the continent.
This flurry of diplomatic activity underscores a growing momentum behind Odinga’s campaign, as he aims to secure the position of AU Commission chairperson in the upcoming elections.
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