President William Ruto has revealed that Ghana's President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has endorsed opposition leader Raila Odinga's candidature for African Union (AU) Chairperson.
Ruto made the announcement on Wednesday during a state visit to Ghana aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Nairobi and Accra, highlighting the AU's March announcement that its next leader will come from an East African country.
"On 15th March 2024, the African Union Executive Council unanimously decided that candidates for the position of the next Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission would be nominated by the Eastern African regional States in accordance with the Statute of the AU Commission, the Rules of Procedure, the African Union policy organs and the decisions of the Assembly of Heads of States and Government," said Ruto.
"Your excellency (Nana), 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 a comprehensive Stakeholder engagement process across government."
According to Ruto, Kenya has backed Raila's candidature owing to its track record of actively promoting and supporting the Pan-African Agenda.
"Kenya’s candidature is informed by our leading role in enhancing and sustaining the Pan-African Agenda in terms of independence and sovereignty, peace and security, development and prosperity, as well as sustainability and climate action. We hope to work with all as we try to achieve Agenda 2063," said Ruto.
Raila is eyeing the seat to replace incumbent AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad for the elections scheduled for February 2025.