ACCRA – Raila Odinga’s candidature for the African Union Commission chairship received a boost on Wednesday after Ghana backed his bid.
Speaking in Accra, Ghana, in a joint presser during his state visit, President William Ruto said President Nana Akufo-Addo had agreed to support Raila for the job.
“Your excellency, my dear brother, I thank you most sincerely for accepting to support Kenya’s candidature for the position of chairperson of the African Union Commission (2025-2028), which has been initiated following a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process across governments,” President Ruto said.
In reciprocity, President Ruto announced that Kenya will back Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Botchwey for the Commonwealth Secretary General’s post in October.
While Raila is seeking to replace Mousa Faki of Chad who is leaving office in January after his second term, Botchwey is vying to succeed Patricia Scotland, in October.
“I have assured His Excellency that Kenya will support Ghana in its candidature for the position of Secretary General of the Commonwealth for 2024-2029 [period]. Your Excellency, this presents an opportunity for Kenya and Ghana to collaborate,” President Ruto declared.
So far, Raila has secured backing from the EAC leaders, but still has more lobbying to do in West Africa and Southern Africa.
In the new elections rules, the AU Executive Council recommended that the East African region would produce the AUC chairship candidate.
Other than Raila, former Somalia Deputy Prime Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam has announced her candidacy for the position.
At the Commonwealth, Lesotho former Trade Minister Joshua Setipa, who currently serves as the Senior Director, Strategy, Portfolio, Partnerships and Digital Division at the Secretariat, and Tanzania’s former Foreign Minister Amb Liberata Mulamula have been endorsed by their respective states for the post.
