Djibouti Rebukes Ruto for Claiming Africa Leaders Lost Opportunity by Rejecting Raila: "Dishonest"
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
President William Ruto has found himself in trouble following his remarks about the African Union Commission (AUC) election results.
Source: UGC
On Saturday, February 15, President Ruto expressed his disappointment after Kenya's candidate, Raila Odinga, was defeated by Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti.
During a dinner in Addis Ababa, Ruto stated that the AUC election outcome meant Africa had missed a chance to be led by an outstanding leader.
The head of state insisted that the former prime minister was the best candidate despite the majority of African presidents voting otherwise.
“I regret that Africa missed the opportunity to be served by the finest. Baba made me very proud. He was the best candidate we could have put forward. I’m very proud of Raila. He did his best, and regardless of the outcome, he made us proud. Whenever he was needed, he showed up. Tinga exceeded all expectations,” Ruto stated.
However, Djibouti has hit out at President Ruto, accusing him of being dishonest with his remarks about the AUC election results.
In a post on X, Ambassador Moussa Mohamed Omar, a communication expert at Djibouti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, insisted that African leaders made the right decision in electing Mahmoud.
Source: Twitter
According to Omar, the vote outcome showed that the heads of state refused to let the African Union Commission be influenced by Kenya’s domestic politics.
“In response to President Ruto on Citizen TV Kenya: claiming Africa ‘lost an opportunity’ is dishonest. 33 heads of state chose Mahmoud, the right choice for Africa's challenges, refusing to let the AU be hostage to Kenyan domestic politics. Africa deserved better than Raila,” Omar stated.
Meanwhile, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka claimed President Ruto should be blamed for Raila's failed AUC bid.
According to the Wiper leader, the president allegedly committed diplomatic mistakes that cost the former prime minister the continental seat.
Speaking at a church service in Kitui county on Sunday, February 16, Kalonzo claimed Raila’s prospects in the continental role's race were undermined by Ruto’s efforts to mediate the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
According to Kalonzo, the South African Development Community (SADC) had issues with the way Ruto handled the DR Congo crisis.
The former vice president claimed most of the SADC member states voted for Mahmoud in protest of Ruto's alleged interference in DR Congo's internal affairs.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
