Ruto Reveals Why Somalia’s President Was Absent At Raila’s AUC Bid Launch
President William Ruto acknowledged on Tuesday that Somalia’s President Hassan Mohamud was absent from the launch of Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission Chairperson bid.
The Head of State, speaking to delegates at State House in Nairobi, revealed that Mohamud’s absence from Odinga’s AUC bid launch was due to unavoidable circumstances.
President Ruto revealed that he received a phone call from the Somali president, informing him that he would be unable to attend the event.
Despite missing the event, Mohamud sent an apology and assured Ruto that he fully supports Odinga’s bid for the top continental position.
“I had sent an invitation to the Somalia president and he confirmed yesterday that he would not attend,” President Ruto revealed.
“He made a call to me and because of issues that went beyond his control, he did not manage to come today but sent his apologies,” the president added.
President Ruto: Kenya has committed significant resources to processes aimed at the achievement of peace and stability in our region including in Sudan and Somalia pic.twitter.com/6PAJzkARXb
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 27, 2024
Ruto presided over the event, which was attended by three East African heads of state, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu, and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir.
Others in attendance included Burundi Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca, former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Ruto stated that Africa’s institutions needed to be radically reformed in order to effectively facilitate growth and development for its people and nations.
According to the president, the former Prime Minister was an ideal candidate with the necessary qualifications for the top continental position.
“Accordingly, Kenya endorses his candidacy unreservedly, and we commit wholeheartedly to supporting his candidature, his vision and his leadership,” Ruto stated.
“I present to you a visionary Pan-African, a bold and wise leader, a professional and technocrat as well as a towering statesman and veteran mobiliser for positive change.”
Ruto Reveals Why Somalia’s President Was Absent At Raila’s AUC Bid Launch
