President William Ruto has intensified efforts to garner support for Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.
On Wednesday, Ruto met with Togolese President Faure Essozimna and Malian President Colonel Assimi Goita on the margins of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing, China. Raila Odinga, recently endorsed by Ruto as Kenya’s candidate for the AUC chairmanship, also attended the meeting.
Ruto took to his official X account to disclose that the meeting focused on rallying support for Raila Odinga’s candidacy and discussed the upcoming Pan-African Congress set to take place in Lome, Togo, later this year.
The President emphasized the importance of Pan-Africanism as a platform for fostering unity across the continent and the Diaspora.
“Pan-Africanism provides an ideal platform for unity and collaboration on common goals such as the African Union Agenda 2063 and reforms of the United Nations. My discussions with Presidents Faure Essozimna and Colonel Assimi Goita included strategies for the Pan-African Congress and support for Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the AUC Chairperson, he said.
Raila Odinga arrived in Beijing on September 2, 2024, accompanied by President Ruto, for the FOCAC summit, which runs from September 4 to September 6, 2024.
Raila is scheduled to attend a state banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping later today.
According to Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei, who leads Raila’s secretariat, Raila’s visit to China is focused on attending the forum rather than lobbying.
The summit is attended by at least 30 African heads of state and over 40 foreign ministers.
President Ruto recently launched Raila Odinga’s AUC bid at a ceremony in Nairobi, attended by East African Community heads of state, including Presidents Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), and Silva Kiir (South Sudan). Raila expressed his appreciation for the support from Kenyan and regional leaders.
As the AUC Chairperson election approaches in February 2025, Raila Odinga faces competition from candidates such as Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Anil Gayan, and Richard James.
To secure the position, Raila will need to obtain at least two-thirds of the votes, approximately 36 out of 54.
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