Ruto Needs Ghana’s Support For Raila’s AU Bid

President William Ruto has secured Ghana’s support for Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union chairmanship during his State visit to the country.

During his state visit to Ghana, President Ruto emphasized that Kenya’s candidacy is based on its significant role in advancing and upholding the pan African agenda.

Ruto highlighted Kenya’s contributions in terms of independence, sovereignty, peace and security, development and prosperity, as well as sustainability and climate action.

Ruto commended President Akufo-Addo for endorsing Kenya’s AUC aspirations. During a joint press conference, Akufo-Addo focused on the benefits for Ghana, seeking Ruto’s support for Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in her bid for the position of Commonwealth Secretary General in the 2024 elections.

Currently, Ayorkor Botchwey will be competing against Lesotho’s candidate for the post. Akufo-Addo’s term will likely end before the AUC and Commonwealth elections, with his last term concluding in December this year. The AU elections will take place in February next year, while the Commonwealth elections are scheduled for September.

However, the outcome of these elections may have less significance if Akufo-Addo’s party remains in power.

Read>> http://Museveni and Ruto discuss Odinga’s bid for top AU role

President Ruto expressed his gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for supporting Kenya’s candidacy for the AUC chairperson position.

The exact schedule for the elections has not been determined yet, but a Panel of Eminent Persons was anticipated to convene in Addis Ababa this week to deliberate on the forthcoming AUC elections and application deadlines.
Elkanah Odembo, a former Kenyan envoy to the US who is now one of Odinga’s strategists for the race, mentioned, “They are aiming to release the vacancies for AU Commission by the end of the week. The advertisements will be active for two months, so the deadline for submitting applications will likely fall in the first week of June.”
He added, “Nevertheless, our plan is to submit well ahead of the deadline.”
This year, only candidates from the Eastern Africa region will be qualified for the AUC chairperson position, in accordance with the new rotation rules.

Read>> http://Museveni and Ruto discuss Odinga’s bid for top AU role

Following a thorough screening process, they will engage in a public televised debate where they will respond to inquiries from the public.
President Ruto expressed his gratitude, saying, “Your Excellency, I sincerely appreciate your decision to endorse Kenya’s candidacy for the chairperson position of the AUC for the term 2025-2028, which was initiated after an extensive engagement process with various stakeholders from governments.”
He also declared that Kenya will back Ghana’s aspiration for the Secretary General position of the Commonwealth for the term 2024-2029.

“This offers an opportunity for Kenya and Ghana to collaborate,” he remarked.
President Ruto was scheduled to travel to Guinea-Bissau in the first official visit by a Kenyan leader to the West African nation, where he was expected to seek support.