President William Ruto has been holding a series of meetings in Addis Ababa since arriving in Ethiopia on Thursday afternoon.
Ruto is in Addis Ababa to participate in the African Heads of State Summit, where leaders will elect the new African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson on Saturday.
Upon arrival, President Ruto met with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.
In a post on X, Ruto stated that their discussions focused on Kenya’s support mission in Haiti, emphasizing the shared history, culture, and identity between Africa and the Caribbean, which dates back several centuries.
“We agreed to continue working together in the search for peace in Haiti,’’ President Ruto said.
He also noted that Africa and the Caribbean have been collaborating closely on various initiatives, including the Caribbean Community-Africa Summit, whose inaugural meeting was held in 2021.
Mottley is attending the 38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government as a guest of the African Union.
While in Ethiopia, Ruto also met with outgoing AUC chairperson Moussa Faki ahead of Saturday’s election.
As the African Union Champion for Institutional Reforms, Ruto highlighted the AU’s growing influence as a strong voice for the continent and its member states.
“We will continue revamping our organization to ensure it is fit for purpose and capable of effectively addressing political, economic, and security challenges,” he wrote on X.
Raila Odinga is seeking to succeed Faki at the helm of the AUC in what is set to be one of the most significant diplomatic contests of his career.
He will face Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato in the election.
On December 24, 2024, President Ruto hosted Faki at his residence in Kilgoris, Narok County, where they discussed key issues, including ongoing African Union reforms and the upcoming AUC chairperson election.
“We are implementing reforms to make the African Union more
effective and efficient in advancing the continent’s interests. I held
discussions with the African Union Commission Chairperson in Kilgoris, Narok
County, focusing on these reforms and the upcoming election, in which former
Prime Minister Raila Odinga is a candidate," Ruto posted on X.
