Ruto’s handling of DRC crisis complicates Raila’s AUC bid, says expert

How President William Ruto handles the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo could make or break Raila Odinga’s bid for the The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.

Kenya’s diplomatic maneuvering will either strengthen or jeopardize Odinga’s ambitions, considering he is planning to exit local politics. Experts warn that Kenya’s current foreign policy approach may alienate key African nations, potentially undermining Odinga’s candidacy.

NTV’s Labaan Shabaan spoke with international relations expert Abel Oyieyo to explore the delicate balance Kenya must strike on the international stage.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s decision to snub a meeting convened by President Ruto, while confirming attendance at a separate meeting organised by southern African nations is a clear indication of his shifting alliances, according to Oyieyo.

“If he is rejecting a meeting organized by Ruto, it will be very hard for him to support Raila [Odinga] because he is being marketed by the president. But what I am counting on is his personal friendship with Felix,” Oyieyo said.

Experts are closely watching Kenya’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, recognizing the high stakes involved. Ruto’s diplomatic push to rally support for Odinga is seen as a key strategy, but with the escalating crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), both Kenya’s foreign policy and the AU race face mounting challenges.

“The margins will be very narrow… extremely narrow. Raila is a friend of Felix, and Kagame knows it. He could decide to punish Raila because of that friendship. I hope it doesn’t go that way,” Oyieyo added.

A recent controversy has further complicated matters. Ruto’s call to French President Emmanuel Macron, which sparked backlash, has raised questions about its potential impact on Odinga’s bid.

“The french are being expelled from West Africa, and then word goes that Ruto made a call to Macron to help mediate DRC crisis. So what will happen is most of the West African countrie will be skeptical of Raila being a potential AUC chair because they will expect him to actually be listening to the president (Ruto)… so if three or four votes are lost because of the call, raila is cooked. So he comes back again to meddle in the already messed up local politics,” Oyieyo observed.

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