NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 3 — President William Ruto has secured Ghana’s endorsement of Kenya’s bid for the Africa Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson ahead of the February 2025 elections.
The revelation comes as Kenya steps its charm offensive to convince regional leaders to support Raila Odinga to succeed the incumbent, Moussa Faki, who has served in te position since March 14, 2017.
President Ruto said Wednesday, during a joint briefing with his Ghanaian counterpart Nana Akufo-Addo, in Accra, that Kenya would back Ghana’s Minister for foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, for the position of Secretary General of the Commonwealth for the period 2024–2029, in reciprocity.
“I thank you for accepting to support Kenya’s candidate for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission 2025-2028, which has been initiated following a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process across governments,” he said.
Pan-African agenda
Ruto said Kenya’s candidature is informed by its leading role in enhancing and sustaining the pan-African agenda.
He singled out the push for independence and sovereignty, peace and security development and prosperity, sustainability, and climate action among priority areas for African countries.
Ruto said the two bids present an opportunity for Kenya and Ghana to collaborate for mutual benefit.
He expressed Kenya’s commitment to work with all African States to propel the region forward in development and security.
“We hope to work with all as we try to achieve Africa’s 2063 agenda.”
President Ruto assured his Ghanaian counterpart of his support and Kenya’s commitment to working with Ghana to further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two states.
Eastern Africa’s turn
On March 15, the African Union unanimously adopted the right of the Eastern Africa region to produce the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission in the February 2025 elections.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi described it as a breakthrough for the East African region to present candidates for the post.
Mudavadi who lobbied for the adoption of the decision stated that it aligned with what Kenya has been pushing for.
He noted the move would remove any technical or legal hurdles in Odinga’s race for the AU Commission chairman post.
The decision also provides that the Northern African region will front candidates for the Deputy Chairperson while the other three regions, Central, Southern, and Western will compete for the six positions of commissioners.
Consensus building
Mudavadi stated that Africa will work closely within the 14-Member State Eastern Africa region to build consensus around the bloc’s candidate.
Notably, Kenya and Somalia have already put forward their candidates for the AUC position.
Kenya began lobbying other African leaders for support after President Ruto announced plans to present Ruto as Kenya’s regionally-backed candidate.
Odinga has also sought the support of key actors in the continent.
“I have requested my friend, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, to continue advocating for my candidacy and engage with other leaders,” Odinga said following a meeting with Obasanjo in February.
Odinga served as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa from 2018 to February 2023, a tenure that ended amid claims Nairobi had withdrawn its support following President Ruto’s assumption of office.
On March 5, President Ruto said East African Community leaders had agreed to sponsor Odinga as the candidate for the AUC chairman post, highlighting regional support for Odinga’s candidacy.
