Ruto Strengthens Raila's AUC Bid In China After Meeting 6 Presidents [PHOTOS]

UPDATE: Raila Odinga, in a statement, revealed that he and President William Ruto presented the former's African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson bid and his bold plans to reform the union if he wins the election slated for 2025.

He noted that the responses of the six Heads of State were remarkable and fueled his drive toward achieving a prosperous African Continent.

"At the Beijing conference, President William Ruto and I seized the moment to engage with a dynamic array of African leaders. We presented our bold plans for AU reforms and my candidacy for AUC chairman. Their remarkable responses, enthusiasm, and commitment fuel our drive toward a more unified and prosperous Africa," Raila stated.

President William Ruto's quest to sell former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson bid went up a notch during their visit to China where they met six African presidents.

The Head of State, whom Raila had accompanied to China, held talks with at least six presidents including those of Rwanda, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Zambia, Togo and Zambia among others on Wednesday, September 4

They included Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, Assimi Goita of Mali, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Umaro Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Mahamat Deby of Chad and Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia.

Among the agenda of all six of the meetings, Raila's AUC bid featured prominently, with the candidate himself featured in the discussions.

President Ruto and Raila Odinga hold talks with presidents of Zambia, Chad, Guinea-Bissau and Rwanda among others on September 4, 2024, amidst campaigns for Raila's African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson bid. /PCS

The leaders also discussed a pan-African Congress that will be held in Togo later in the year, Kenya's deep relations with Rwanda and trade ties with Guinea-Bissau.

Odinga was accompanied by Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and Kisii Governor Simba Arati.

“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 on his social media pages.

“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."

“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's other updates read.

20 heads of state went to China for the FOCAC forum. Out of the eight East African Community (EAC) States, only Uganda was not represented by its president.

President William Ruto holds talks with Presidents Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo and Assimi Goita of Mali in China on September 4, 2024. /PCS