During his State visit to Ghana, President William Ruto of Kenya secured Ghana’s support for Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union chairmanship. Following discussions with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ruto announced that Kenya would reciprocate by backing Ghana’s candidate for the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Hon Shirley Botchwey.
Speaking at the Kenya-Ghana Joint Media Briefing at Jubilee House in Accra, Ruto expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for Ghana’s endorsement of Kenya’s bid for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for the term 2025-2028. In return, Kenya pledged its support for Ghana’s candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth for the period 2024-2029.
Ruto emphasized Kenya’s commitment to the Pan-African Agenda, highlighting its role in promoting independence, sovereignty, peace, security, development, prosperity, and sustainability. Raila Odinga, eyeing the AU Commission chairmanship to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad, stands to benefit from the unanimous support of the African Union Executive Council, which resolved that candidates for the position be nominated by Eastern African regional states.
The resolution, passed on March 15, 2024, aligns with AU statutes and policy decisions aimed at advancing Africa’s development goals outlined in Agenda 2063. President Ruto reiterated Kenya’s dedication to achieving Agenda 2063, emphasizing the need for institutional reforms within the African Union to ensure effective implementation.
Ruto pledged to collaborate with Ghana in instituting necessary reforms, including restructuring AU organs and aligning the Assembly’s agenda with strategic priorities. This commitment reflects Ruto’s mandate received from fellow African leaders at the last AU Summit to spearhead reform efforts within the African Union.
Raila Odinga’s candidacy has garnered support from various African heads of state, including Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, signaling growing momentum behind his bid for the AU Commission chairmanship.
