President William Ruto has announced that he has secured Botswana’s support for Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Chairmanship post.
Ruto made the confirmation via a statement on X on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, after meeting with the recently elected President of Botswana, Duma Boko.
Apart from the AUC and Raila’s candidacy taking centre stage of the meeting, the two Heads of State also talked about trade.
“The implementation of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), comprising the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), will establish a market of 700 million people.
“Alongside the proposed African Union reforms, this free trade area will unlock Africa’s potential, expand opportunities, alleviate poverty, and leverage shared prosperity. Held talks with President @duma_boko of Botswana in Accra, Ghana.
“President Boko pledged his support for Hon. Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission chairperson bid,” President Ruto announced.
Togo’s endorsement
This comes a day after Ruto met with President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo and also announced that the West African country will support Raila.
“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.
“Met President @FEGnassingbe of Togo in Accra, Ghana, ahead of the inauguration of President John Mahama. President Gnassingbé pledged his support for Hon. @RailaOdinga’s candidacy for the African Union Commission chairperson,” Ruto announced after meeting with his Togo counterpart.
So far, Raila’s bid has been backed by DRC, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Burundi, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Algeria.
During the February 2025 elections, Raila will battle it out with Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Richard James Randriamandrato.
