President William Ruto who is Ghana for the inauguration of President John Mahama used the opportunity to rally member states to back Kenya’s bid for the seat.
In a statement Tuesday, Ruto announced that Togo and Equitorial Guinea have agreed to back Kenya’s candidate Raila Odinga in the race.
This followed separate talks with President Faure Gnassingbé (Togo) and Teodoro Nguema, Equitorial Guinea’s vice president.
The elections are slated for next month.
“In Accra, Ghana, met the Equatorial Guinea Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue who pledged his country's support for Raila Odinga's AUC chairperson bid,” he said.
The discussions with the two leaders were also centered on Africa Union reforms, said Ruto. According to Ruto, Africa’s future will be shaped by inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders on the continent’s transformation agenda.
“This includes reforms of the African Union, peace and security, and continental integration to enhance the private sector's role in development under the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement,” he stated.
The head of state said they also discussed about investment in tourism, trade and investment noting this will help drive development and growth, enabling the continent to realise its full economic potential.
“Increased investment in agriculture is a critical pillar in ensuring that Africa achieves food security and is in line with the continent's Malabo Declaration,” he said.
Raila who is in Mauritius has also secured the support of the country after Anil Kumarsingh Gayan bowed out of the race.
He will be squaring it out with Djbouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar to replace the current chairperson Moussa Faki.
Faki, who hails from Chad, has served two terms of four years each, with his second and final term expiring in February 2025.
Raila has lined up back-to-back campaigns for the post this month January as the race for the job goes down to the wire.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has announced that he will be joining the campaign team this month in a vote-hunting mission across Africa.