President Ruto discusses Raila's AU Chair bid with African leaders in China

President Ruto, his Guinea-Bissau counterpart Umaro Sissoco Embalo and former PM Raila Odinga (left) at a meeting during China-Africa Cooperation in China. [PCS]

President William Ruto spent Wednesday, September 4, in China, meeting with African presidents to discuss bilateral issues and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's candidature for the African Union Commission chairperson.

In separate meetings, the Kenyan leader met Presidents Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe of Togo, Assimi Goita of Mali, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Mahamat Idriss Deby of Chad, and Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia.

He expressed Kenya's commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with these nations for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He said Kenya will explore opportunities for increased diplomatic, trade, and people-to-people ties with countries on the continent to enhance intra-African interactions and business.

President Ruto noted that African leaders are working together to reform the African Union and make it "fit for purpose" to serve the continent better.

He said the African Union Commission is a critical institution of the African Union and requires effective, knowledgeable, and experienced leadership.

The President told the leaders that Kenya had presented Mr Odinga's candidature for the African Union Commission chairperson position because he is an "accomplished pan-Africanist, a champion of integrated infrastructure, and committed to peace and security on the continent."