• Raila said all forums to discuss African issues should not be done out of the continent
• Forty heads of state recently met in Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
Image: PCS
Raila Odinga has suggested future China-African summits be held in Africa.
Fifty heads of state recently spent a week in Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Raila himself was part of President William Ruto's delegation.
Speaking at a meeting in Bondo, the aspiring AUC chairman said the Chinese should instead travel to Africa to engage African presidents and heads of state.
“I believe that Africa is punching below its weight and that Africa can do better," Raila said.
"I have seen African leaders moving around like you see, I have just come from the FOCAC summit, where almost 40 heads of state were.
“Why should African leaders go to China? Chinese should be the ones coming to Africa. So these are some of the things that we want to reverse.”
During the trip, Ruto and Raila campaigned for Kenya’s African Union Commission seat and organised meetings with top African leaders.
The meetings are part of Kenya’s diplomatic efforts to lobby for Raila’s support from African presidents ahead of the February 2025 poll.
Raila accompanied Ruto on his official tour to China to pitch for his AUC candidacy among the African heads of state attending the forum.
They met leaders including Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, who did not attend Nairobi’s unveiling of Raila as Kenya’s candidate.
Kagame was represented during the launch by his Foreign Affairs Minister James Kabarebe.
"Rwanda is a strong ally and strategic partner of Kenya. We share diplomatic, historical and cultural ties," Ruto posted on his X account.
"Our two nations are also committed members of the East African Community, especially on regional integration, trade and people-to-people relations."
Ruto said his meeting with Kagame deliberated on deepening relations between Kenya and Rwanda “and also the candidature of Raila Odinga for the position of the African Union Commission chairperson”.
Ruto and Raila also met presidents Umaro Sissoco (Guinea-Bissau), Asimi Goita (Mali), Faure Essozimna (Togo), Mahamat Idriss (Chad) and Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, who is also the chair of Comesa.
Kenya has ramped up campaigns for Raila’s AUC job bid, lining up strategic efforts to lobby support for the ODM leader.
Speaking in Bondo over the weekend, Raila also exuded confidence that he has the right agenda for the continent if elected during the February 2025 elections.
“I have good reasons why I want to go to Africa,” Odinga said.
In the February 2025 poll, Raila will face Djibouti Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf, who is seen as his main opponent.
Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar) are also gunning for the seat.