President William Ruto is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to rally for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's Africa Union Commission chairperson candidacy.
The President arrived in Addis Ababa on Wednesday evening en route from Juba, South Sudan where he had made a one-day official visit the same day.
President Ruto was received at the Bole International Airport by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
As part of the president's engagements in Addis Ababa, Ruto on Thursday held a meeting with diplomats across the African Continent based in Ethiopia.
"As the Champion of the African Union Institutional Reforms, addressed the Permanent Representatives Committee comprising African ambassadors to the AU, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,'' Ruto wrote on his X account.
Although the president did not disclose his agenda for Raila in his X post, it is understood that he seized the opportunity to lobby for his candidacy.
Raila, who also attended the session on Thursday morning, is in Addis Ababa for a series of engagements including unveiling his AUC continental campaigns on Friday.
In a press release on Wednesday, Raila's secretariat said the event is meant to provide a platform for Raila to engage with core players and partners of the AU.
"The Addis event is a follow-up to the 27th August 2024 official reception of the candidature of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga in Nairobi, and is meant to provide a platform for the candidate to engage with core players, formations, and partners of the AU. The candidate will use the forum to outline his pan-African vision and priorities in line with AU Agenda 2063," the secretariat said.
Raila will later that evening issue a keynote address at the Grand Campaign Reception which will be held at AU Multipurpose Hall.
On Thursday, President Ruto, who is also the champion of reforms at the African Union, told the permanent representatives in Addis Ababa on the need for consultation.
"It is imperative that Africa becomes organised and builds the necessary synergy to tackle the challenges that face the continent. To achieve this crucial objective, the reform agenda of the African Union institutions must be thorough and consultative,'' Ruto said.
"The reforms are aimed at making the institutions of the African Union more accountable, efficient and effective in serving Member States and, indeed, the people of the continent."