President William Ruto has continued to win plaudits across Africa after emerging as one of the most vocal heads of state championing continental unity and financial freedom.
From openly criticizing the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and pushing France to restructure its aid and loans, Ruto is thriving in building diplomatic alliances.
During his official tour to Comoros, on July 6, Ruto was honoured with the highest award - the Grand Cross of the Green Crescent of the Comoros. The award was bestowed on him by Comoros President Azali Assoumani.
According to media outlets and historians in the Indian Ocean island, the Sultan of Comoro established the order to recognise meritorious service by civilian or military personnel.
Reports state that it was established by Sultan Thibe Achmet of Comoro in the 1890s and revised in the 1900s. Despite limited information regarding this medal, historians state that the two versions of the order differ in design.
The first was bestowed to awardees in three classes, Grand Cross, Commander, and Officer, and features silver designs.
In 1910, when the order was revised, a second silver and enamel design was introduced. The medallion also featured an Arabic cypher. A cypher is a message written in a secret code.
Other documents state that the Grand Cross of the Green Crescent of the Comoros was awarded in four classes - Grand Cross, Commander, Officer and Knight.
“Its design is based on a double-sided five-pointed star of dark green enamel with gold ball finials at the end of each point. The star is layered over rays of gold between each arm.
"A raised Arabic inscription (cypher) is encircled in the centre of the star. This is suspended from a large golden crescent with small green enamel star(s) on it (three on the Commander grade and one on the Knight grade),” a document by the Medal Hound explains.
The publication adds that the original metal design of this Order (Ancien) varies considerably from the later enamelled version.
While in Comoros, Ruto attended the 48th anniversary of the country’s independence and announced that Citizens from the island will soon enjoy visa-free travel to Kenya. He also held bilateral meetings with Comoros President Azali Assoumani.
“It is the right time to engage Africa’s leaders for the purpose of mobilising a firm African position on issues that are directly connected with our collective aspirations,” Ruto stated but lamented that African countries are forced to choose between their development needs and climate action.
