President William Ruto will today chair a crucial retreat of heads of states as Kenya goes flat out in drumming support for its AUC candidate Raila Odinga. Six presidents will attend the meeting in Nairobi.
The Bureau Retreat on African Union (AU) Institutional Reforms will be focusing on a myriad of reforms at AU.
“The retreat is a critical platform for fostering political will and consensus on the AU reform agenda, which aims to enhance the institutional capacity, governance, and financial stability to realise the vision of the African Union,” communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads.
Ministry sources, however, told the Star Raila’s AUC bid will also be on the table with Ruto expected to make a strong case for his former political rival.
“Of course the retreat will delve much on the AU reforms but the issue of our candidate will also be conversed, that is automatic,” the source told the Star.
Presidents who have confirmed attendance include Taye Atseke (Ethiopia), Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Faure Gnassinge (Togo), John Mahama (Ghana), Joao Lourenco (Angola) and Umaro Sissaco (Guinea Bissau).
Outgoing AUC chairman Moussa Faki will attend the Nairobi meeting.
Sissoco, who arrived in the country on Friday, endorsed Raila’s bid during a function at State House.
Guinea Bissau’s support for Raila was announced by Ruto on Saturday.
“In the context of the forthcoming AUC elections, I express my deep appreciation to Your Excellency for Guinea-Bissau’s endorsement of Kenya’s candidate for the position of AUC chairperson for the 2025-28 term,” Ruto said.
Mahama arrived in the country on Sunday.
The West African leader was in the country late last year where he visited Ruto at his Kilgoris home.
He also had time to meet Raila where they had extensive deliberations on the AUC polls. Mahama was received Sunday night by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
“This summit presents an opportunity for African leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, address critical reforms, and chart a transformative path for sustainable development across the region,” the Kikuyu MP posted on his X account.
The retreat is coming at a time Raila has stepped up his cross-Africa campaigns ahead of the February 15, 2025 elections.
Last week, Raila pitched camp
in North Africa where he met and
held discussions with Algeria Prime
Minister Nadir Larbaoui, Tunisia’s
Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs
Mohamed Ben Ayed and Mauritania President Mohamed Ould
Ghazouani.
