KILGORIS, Kenya – Former prime minister Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid has been boosted after Ghanaian President-elect John Mahama endorsed him.
Raila’s endorsement for the continental top job followed a meeting between him, President William Ruto, and Mahama in Kilgoris, Narok County.
“I thanked him (Mahama) for declaring his support for Hon. Raila Odinga‘s African Union Commission chairperson candidature,” said President Ruto, adding that he also agreed to attend his swearing-in in Accra next month.
How Kenya will cooperate with Ghana
President Ruto further said that Kenya will enhance its relations with Ghana by including more sectors in trade and investment, agriculture, mining, tourism, oil, and gas.
“This will broaden opportunities for the people of the two countries and ensure our shared prosperity. Hosted Ghana’s President-elect John Mahama and also discussed the expansion of intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” President Ruto explained.
For his part, Mahama thanked President Ruto for his support over the years and invited him to his inauguration on January 7, 2025.
“It was a great opportunity to discuss our regional integration efforts, continental security, and how we can work collectively to upscale the benefits of the AfCFTA,” said Mahama.
John Mahama’s plans for the AfCFTA
As a former chair of the AU high-level committee on trade, Mahama maintained that he remains committed to expanding trade among the two countries under the aegis of the AfCFTA.
“We shall strengthen relations between Kenya and Ghana,” he concluded.
Raila said he was privileged to join President Ruto in hosting Mahama and expressed Kenya’s appreciation for his visit.
“We used the opportunity to update him on my campaigns and vision for the African Union Commission Chairperson,” Raila said following the meeting held under an oak tree at President Ruto’s Kilgoris residence.
Why William Ruto met Moussa Faki
The meeting came barely a week after President Ruto hosted African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki at the Kilgoris residence.
President Ruto disclosed that, alongside his colleagues on the continent, they are implementing reforms in the African Union’s structure to make it more effective and efficient in pursuing the continent’s interests.
“We discussed, among other things, AU reforms and the upcoming election of the AUC Chairperson, a post that former prime minister Raila Odinga is running for,” President Ruto explained.
What Raila is doing to win the AUC seat
Raila is actively pursuing a bid to lead the AUC. Recently, he has received significant support, including an endorsement from the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
His campaign is gaining momentum as he contacts various countries, including visiting South Africa, to strengthen his candidacy and advocate for better African representation in international bodies like the United Nations Security Council.
For Raila to clinch the coveted position, he needs two-thirds of the 55 countries that will vote.
The geopolitics, language, and religion of member states will determine who wins next year’s elections.
Raila will compete with Djibouti’s foreign minister, Mahmoud Youssouf; Anil Gayan of Mauritius; and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato.
