Ghana backs Raila for AUC top job in deal with Kenya

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has agreed to support Kenyan Raila Odinga in his bid to become chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) come the election in February 2025.

This significant agreement was reached on Wednesday, during President Ruto’s state visit to the capital, Accra, where he extensively lobbied for Raila.

At their joint presser at the Jubilee House in Accra, the Kenyan leader expressed his gratitude to his Ghanaian counterpart.

“Your excellency, my dear brother, I thank you most sincerely for accepting to support Kenya’s candidature for the position of chairperson of the African Union Commission (2025-2028), which has been initiated following a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process across governments,” said Ruto.

President William Ruto inspects a guard of honour following his arrival in Accra, Ghana, on April 3, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

Raila, Kenya's opposition leader, is seeking to succeed Chadian Moussa Faki Mahamat, who will retire next February.

In the give-and-take arrangement, President Ruto assured Akufo-Addo of Nairobi’s full support for the candidature of Shirley Botchew, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, for the position of Commonwealth secretary-general, which will be up for grabs in October 2024.

“I have assured His Excellency that Kenya will support Ghana in its candidature ... for the position of secretary-general of the Commonwealth for 2024-2029. Your Excellency, this presents an opportunity for Kenya and Ghana to collaborate,” Ruto added.

Current Commonwealth boss Patricia Scotland will be replaced during a heads of government meeting set for Samoa.

Kenya-Ghana Joint Media Briefing, Jubilee House, Accra. https://t.co/G1ogVbkqTo

— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) April 3, 2024

During the press conference, however, the Ghanaian president refrained from explicitly endorsing Raila's candidature, focusing instead on his foreign minister's bid.

"I just sought the support of President Ruto for the candidature of Ghana's dynamic Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, for the position of secretary-general of the Commonwealth, at the forthcoming elections to be held during the 2024 Commonwealth head of governments' meeting in Samoa," he said.

The high-stakes contest for the top AUC post has seen Nairobi and Mogadishu place simultaneous bids, with Somalia fronting former Foreign minister Fawzia Yusuf.

Before the May deadline, by which AU member states must nominate candidates, it is expected that more candidates from the Eastern Africa region will emerge.

The region was approved as the only one eligible for the chair position, while the Northern region will battle for the deputy chairperson role.

Presidents William Ruto (Kenya) and Nana Akufo-Addo (Ghana) address a joint press conference in Accra, Ghana, on April 3, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

In the African Union (AU) context, Eastern Africa comprises more than just the East African Community (EAC). The broader region has more than 10 countries, among them Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti.

Some EAC member states, like Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are not part of the Eastern Africa region and fall under the Central region.

Although Raila is banking on his rich continental connections, electing an AUC chairperson is a tricky affair.

President Ruto's assurance of East African nations' backing is a boost but it is not clear when this decision was reached, especially considering Mogadishu has already fronted a candidate.

Ruto's remarks highlighted the persistent struggle to achieve consensus in the region, which rarely agrees on major decisions.

Interestingly, Tanzania has endorsed former Foreign minister Liberata Mulamula for the post of Commonwealth Secretariat secretary-general.

President Samia Suluhu believes that Mulamula, a career diplomat, will significantly help strengthen her country's relationship with the Commonwealth community.