Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship has received a boost with an endorsement from Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo.
President Akufo-Addo endorsed Odinga’s candidacy after President William Ruto secured the Ghanaian leader’s support on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
Speaking during a joint press briefing in Accra, Ghana, Ruto thanked President Akuffo-Addo for agreeing to support Raila’s AU candidacy.
“Your excellency, 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,” said Ruto.
In return, President Ruto promised to support Ghana’s minister for foreign affairs Shirley Botchwey for the position of the Commonwealth secretary-general for the period 2024-2029.
“On our part, I have assured His Excellency that Kenya will support the Republic of Ghana for the candidature of Hon Shirley Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth for the period 2024-2029. Excellency, this presents an opportunity for Kenya and Ghana to collaborate,” Ruto said.
This endorsement by President Akufo-Addo adds to the support that Odinga has received from various leaders across the region for the seat in the last couple of months.
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It comes shortly after Kenya officially submitted Odinga’s name to the EAC secretariat for endorsement by the eight-member states.
In a letter addressed to member states on March 21, 2024, Peter Mathuki, the Secretary-General of the EAC Secretariat, announced that the Secretariat had received an official communication from the Kenyan government, informing member states about Odinga’s candidacy for the AUC chairperson position.
Mathuki also noted that the government of Kenya had asked the eight EAC member-states to endorse and support the Azimio leader as the region’s candidate for the position.
“The Republic of Kenya has officially communicated to the EAC secretary-general of their candidature for the position of the chairperson of the African Union Commission and further proposed the candidature of Raila Amolo Odinga, former Prime Minister for the position of the chairperson of AUC,” Mathuki said.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you of this development and urge partners to mobilise support for the candidature of Raila Odinga given his immense experience in leadership and understanding of issues affecting our continent,” he added.
The letter from Mathuki signifies that if the eight-member states endorse Odinga, the ODM leader could move one step closer to succeeding outgoing AUC chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.
Odinga had in early March received a boost to his candidature after the AU Permanent Representatives Committee proposed changes, reserving the AUC chairperson position to the East African region.
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