President William Ruto's diplomatic overtures in West Africa have bolstered support for opposition leader Raila Odinga's candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position, with Ghana, Angola, and Guinea-Bissau pledging their backing this week.
Angola's Ambassador to Kenya, Sianga Abilio, expressed his nation's commitment, asserting, "Angola is aware and is working on that issue and will not let Kenya, as a brother, down."
These declarations were made during an event commemorating 22 years since the end of Angola's civil war at the Angolan Embassy in Nairobi on Thursday, April 4.
President Ruto's visit to Guinea-Bissau on Friday, April 5, further solidified Raila's support base, with Ruto stating, "I thank His Excellency (Gen Umaro Sissoco Embalo) most sincerely for accepting to support Kenya’s candidature for the AUC Chairperson for the 2025-2028 period."
Ruto's expression of gratitude highlights the significance of securing backing from West African nations in Raila's bid for AU leadership.
“Kenya’s candidature is informed by the role we play in enhancing and sustaining the Pan-African agenda. We hope to work with all member States in the African Union’s endeavour to achieve Agenda 2063,” he stated.
Raila's momentum received a significant boost earlier in the week when he secured Ghana's support, a development announced by President Ruto himself.
Facing competition from Somalia's former Foreign Affairs Minister, Fawzia Yusuf Adam, Raila is emerging as a frontrunner for the position, having garnered backing from several nations.
Rwanda and Uganda have also pledged their support, following Raila's meetings with Presidents Paul Kagame and Yoweri Museveni. Ruto emphasized that the East African region stands united behind Raila's candidacy to succeed outgoing chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.
Raila's extensive diplomatic efforts include visits to various nations to solicit endorsements for the Eastern Africa-reserved seat, with Ruto amplifying support for the opposition leader's bid.
Nairobi is actively seeking regional consensus to bolster Raila's candidacy, with Ruto rallying support from neighbouring countries.
The upcoming elections for the AU Commission chairperson position, scheduled for February next year, require the victor to secure two-thirds support from AU member states in the absence of a consensus.
The race for the continent's top job has intensified following decisions made in the Executive Council Ministerial meeting on Tuesday, April 2.
The council granted the Eastern region the authority to nominate the chairperson, while the Northern region will nominate the deputy chairperson.
Furthermore, the council stipulated gender diversity, mandating that if the elected chairperson is male, the deputy must be female, and vice versa.
"The Eastern region shall submit candidates for the position of the chairperson. The Northern region shall submit candidates for the position of the deputy chairperson," the council directed.
