President William Ruto has secured Zimbabwe’s support for Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
In a statement on Saturday, Ruto said Kenya and Zimbabwe have a deep understanding that underpins mutual support over the years, in diverse arenas.
He said Kenya will support Zimbabwe's bid for readmission to the Commonwealth.
Ruto added that Kenya will also back the African Union's call for the lifting of illegal sanctions against Zimbabwe.
“Based on this, I wish to declare Kenya’s unreserved support for Zimbabwe’s readmission to the Commonwealth, and for the African Union’s call for the immediate lifting of all illegal sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Ruto said Kenya's candidature is informed by the role that the country plays in enhancing the Pan–African Agenda.
“I am assured that Kenya and Zimbabwe will persist in conferring and backing each other on a multitude of issues of bilateral, regional, and continental significance alongside the African Union Agenda 2063,” he added.
The Kenyan Head of state spoke at the Bulawayo State House, Zimbabwe on Saturday, during bilateral talks with his counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa.
During the bilateral meeting, Kenya and Zimbabwe signed nine MoUs in the fields of transport, infrastructure, health, education, defence, trade and investments among other areas.
“I stand here to affirm Kenya’s commitment to the flourishing of our bilateral relations, and our shared determination to advance and enhance mutual benefit through partnership and consultation,” said Ruto.
President Mnangagwa emphasized the need for investors to exploit existing opportunities in the two countries.
Kenya has presented its candidature for AUC Chairperson for 2025 – 2028.
This comes in the wake of a unanimous decision by the African Union Executive Council, on 15th March 2024, that the Eastern Africa region submit candidates for the AU Chairperson.
