Raila Receives Vital Boost After Ruto Bags His AUC Support In Ghana [VIDEO]

Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union (AU) chairperson position has received another important boost thanks to President William Ruto's successful lobbying of Ghana to support his candidature.

Ruto on Wednesday, April 3 met his Ghanaian counterpart Nana Akufo-Addo during his state visit to the West African nation and thereafter held a joint press briefing in Accra.

Possibly anticipating intense competition from Somalia on who would represent East Africa in the race for the top seat, Ruto appreciated 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.

To return the favour, Ruto announced that Kenya would support Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Shirley Botchwey for the position of the Commonwealth Secretary-General for the period 2024-2029. 

“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.

The former Prime Minister on February 15, 2024, announced his interest in replacing Moussa Faki when his term lapses in 2025 and 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. They include Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Salva Kirr of South Sudan, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, and Felix Tshisekedi of DRC.

On Friday, March 15, the African Union Executive Council unanimously adopted a critical decision that it is the turn of the Eastern Africa region to submit candidates for the position of the Chairperson of the AUC, meaning Raila has the right to contest the prestigious position.

However, he is likely to face stiff competition from Somalia which fronted former Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Adam for the coveted seat.

Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, who attended the press conference, was the first leader to publicly throw his weight behind Raila's candidature.