Kenya’s decision to field Raila Odinga as its candidate for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) for the 2025-2028 term has gained significant traction.
This move follows the African Union Executive Council’s unanimous agreement that candidates from the Eastern Africa region should be nominated for the prestigious AU Chairperson role. Crucially, Kenya has secured the support of Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa in its bid for this influential position. During President William Ruto’s recent visit to Zimbabwe, where he held talks with his counterpart at the Bulawayo State House, the two nations inked nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) spanning diverse sectors such as transportation, infrastructure, healthcare, education, defence, trade, and investments.
This comprehensive partnership discloses the two countries’ shared commitment to bolstering their bilateral relations and advancing their mutual interests. President Ruto has emphasized that Kenya’s aspiration to lead the AUC stems from its steadfast dedication to propelling the Pan-African Agenda forward. He expresses confidence that the long-standing collaboration between Kenya and Zimbabwe will continue to flourish across various bilateral, regional, and continental matters, aligning with the African Union’s transformative Agenda 2063.
Moreover, President Ruto reaffirms Kenya’s support for Zimbabwe’s reintegration into the Commonwealth and echoes the African Union’s call for the lifting of all illegal sanctions imposed on the country. He reiterates the nation’s commitment to upholding sovereign equality and a rules-based multilateral system, rejecting any unilateral measures that undermine these tenets. In a banquet held in his honour at the Bulawayo State House, President Ruto commended President Mnangagwa’s resolute determination to develop critical infrastructure including energy, transport, and communications networks, as a catalyst for economic growth.
He expresses his belief that President Mnangagwa’s commitment to economic recovery and transformation, evidenced by the allocation of funds from various sources, holds immense potential for substantial growth between the two nations, underpinned by the existing cooperation agreements and areas of mutual benefit. President Mnangagwa reciprocated by expressing gratitude to Kenya for its steadfast support in advocating for the removal of Western-imposed economic sanctions. He highlights the historical and ideological bonds between the two nations, as well as their shared aspirations for prosperity and progress.
