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Ruto secure's Algeria's support for Raila Odinga's AUC chair bid

President William Ruto is pictured with his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Apulia, Italy, on June 14, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

By Bashir Mohammed | Saturday, June 15, 2024

President William Ruto secured support during the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, following discussions with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s campaign to chair the Africa Union Commission (AUC) has gained a crucial endorsement from Algeria.

President William Ruto secured support during the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, following discussions with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

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President Ruto announced the development via X, formerly Twitter, stating, “I have held a discussion with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Algeria, on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Apulia, Italy, who has pledged support for Kenya’s Africa Commission chairmanship bid.”

He added, "Kenya and Algeria hold a joint position on reforms of the African Union and International Financial Architecture that seeks to create equity and inclusion."

Kenya is grateful to the government of Algeria for its support for the agricultural sector especially through the provision of fertilizer.

We are also thankful to Algeria for her financial support for the Kenya - led UN security mission for Haiti.

I have held discussion with… pic.twitter.com/7b7SRXYKEZ
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) June 14, 2024

Securing Algeria's backing is a significant milestone in consolidating support from the Northern African region, which plays a pivotal role in determining the next AUC chair in the upcoming February elections.

The endorsement follows a similar pledge from Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and a growing support which underscores the strategic alliances Kenya is forging to bolster Odinga's bid.

Ruto expressed gratitude to Algeria for its ongoing support, particularly in the agricultural sector through the provision of fertiliser, as well as for its financial backing of Kenya's leadership in the UN Security Mission for Haiti.

“We are thankful to Algeria for her financial support for the Kenya-led UN Security Mission for Haiti,” he stated.

The Kenyan government, under Ruto’s leadership, has established a joint secretariat to spearhead the campaign for Odinga. Support from key African leaders, including Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, further strengthens his candidature.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, recently held a joint press conference with Odinga, announcing the forthcoming official submission of Odinga's candidature papers.

Mudavadi expressed confidence in the opposition chief, stating, "We have a visionary leader to fire up the African Union to greater levels. We have no doubt that the candidate will pursue the vision."

Odinga is the leader of the opposition's Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).