President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have met six African Presidents in China.
In an update via his X handle on Wednesday, September 4, Ruto revealed he held talks with Togo President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé and Assimi Goita of Mali.
The leaders discussed a pan-African Congress that will be held in Togo later in the year as well as Odinga’s candidature for the position of African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.
“Held talks with Presidents Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo and Assimi Goita of Mali on a pan-African Congress to be held in Lome, Togo, later in the year.
“Also discussed support for the candidature of the Rt Hon. Raila Odinga for the position of the chairperson of the African Union Commission,” Ruto stated.
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The Head of State also held a meeting with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda about Kenya’s deep relations with Rwanda and Odinga’s AUC bid.
Odinga was in the meeting together with Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and Kisii Governor Simba Arati.
“Met President Paul Kagame of Rwanda in Beijing, China, and deliberated on deepening our relations and also the candidature of the Rt Hon. Raila Odinga for the position of the African Union Commission chairperson,” said Ruto.
Further, President Ruto and Odinga met President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau and discussed trade ties and the former premier’s AUC bid.
“Met President Embalo of Guinea-Bissau in Beijing, China, and discussed the role African regional economic blocs can play in the continent's integration. Also deliberated on the support of the candidature of the Rt Hon. Raila Odinga for the position of the African Union Commission chairperson,” Ruto stated.
Additionally, Ruto met President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno of Chad to lobby for Odinga’s AUC candidature.
President Ruto is in China to attend the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. He jetted out of the country on Sunday night.
