Ghana endorses Raila for AUC chair

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has endorsed opposition leader Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson position, President William Ruto has revealed.

Ruto made the announcement on Wednesday during a state visit to Ghana, aimed at augmenting bilateral ties between Nairobi and Accra, highlighting the AU's March announcement that its next head will be drawn from an East African state.

"On 15th March 2024, the African Union Executive Council unanimously decided that candidates for the position of the next Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission would be nominated by the Eastern African regional States in accordance with the Statute of the AU Commission, the Rules of Procedure, the African Union policy organs and the decisions of the Assembly of Heads of States and Government," said Ruto.

"Your excellency (Nana), 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."

According to Ruto, Kenya has backed Raila's candidature owing to its track record of actively promoting and supporting the Pan-African Agenda

"Kenya’s candidature is informed by our leading role in enhancing and sustaining the Pan-African Agenda in terms of independence and sovereignty, peace and security, development and prosperity, as well as sustainability and climate action. We hope to work with all as we try to achieve Agenda 2063," said Ruto.

In February, Raila expressed confidence in clinching the AUC chairperson position, asserting that he has won endorsements from various Presidents within the East African region and beyond. 

“I met Ruto and Museveni, I went to get Museveni’s vote, then I met Ruto. They agreed that they will vote for me. Museveni said he will propose my name,” Raila said in Kisii then in reference to his trip to Uganda prior to the address.

He added that he would head to Kigali for talks with Rwanda’s Paul Kagame for talks on the same. 

“Next week I will meet Kagame, Mama Suluhu has said she will support me, Salva Kiir has accepted. The other day I was with Ramaphosa, he said yes, Tshisekedi has said yes,” said Raila.