Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship has received a boost after President William Ruto secured support from his Ghanaian counterpart Nana Akufo-Addo.
Speaking during a joint press briefing on Wednesday, April 3, in Accra Ghana Ruto thanked President Akuffo-Addo for agreeing to support Raila’s AU candidature.
“Your excellency, my dear brother, I thank you most sincerely for accepting to support Kenya’s candidature for the position of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (2025-2028), which has been initiated following comprehensive Stakeholder engagement process across government,” said Ruto.
The Head of State in return promised to support Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Shirley Botchwey for the position of the Commonwealth Secretary-General for the period 2024-2029.
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“On our part, I have assured His Excellency that Kenya will support the Republic of Ghana for the candidature of Hon Shirley Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth for the period 2024-2029. Excellency, this presents an opportunity for Kenya and Ghana to collaborate,” Ruto added.
Raila On February 15 announced his interest in replacing Moussa Faki when his term lapses in 2025.
The former Premier has been moving across the continent looking for support from African Presidents.
On February 29, Raila revealed that six African heads of state have agreed to back his AU bid.
The six include; Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Salva Kirr of South Sudan, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, and Felix Tshisekedi of DRC.