How President Ruto's Engagement with Macron Could Impact Raila's AU ambitions

Nairobi,

Saturday, 1 February, 2025 

McCreadie Andias 

President William Ruto of Kenya held a major phone call with Emmanuel Macron during late January 2025 about the deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

Through this dialogue Kenya displayed its commitment to regional security while maintaining international partnership efforts to solve African conflict situations. The diplomatic phone call between leaders caused concerns among supporters of Raila Odinga who seeks the position of African Union Commission (AUC) chair.

President Ruto takes a leading position in managing regional difficulties while serving as the East African Community (EAC) chairman. President Macron and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio heard from the Kenyan president about escalating violence in eastern DRC while receiving his recommendation for both the swift end of military conflict and establishing humanitarian relief routes. 

Kenya demonstrates strong regional stability dedication through its willingness to join forces with international nations in order to establish global peace and security. 

The Western intervention in African affairs continues to face resistance due to African fears their solutions will be marginalized by outside intervention.

In early 2024, Raila Odinga announced his official run for the AUC chairmanship position. Multiple African nations including Uganda, Rwanda and Ghana have backed his bid for AUC leadership thus enhancing his standing among potential candidates. 

Through his campaign Odinga advocates the AU must enhance its ability to handle continental challenges by developing initiatives which originate from African states. Odinga also supports the growth of African business deals among member states along with establishing better security structures while pushing for improved African participation in worldwide institutions.

The moment Ruto started meeting Western leaders provoked unease among supporters of Odinga. Other African nations may view Kenyan relations with Western countries as excessive due to concerns that this alignment could diminish Odinga's support for pan-African policies. 

The crisis in the DRC is an intricate problem which multiple international actors participate in. Countries that advocate for African-led interventions without outside involvement would express doubt about Kenya involving directly with Western powers. 

The kind of alliance between Kenya and Western powers could reduce interest from other African nations in backing Kenyan candidates for the AUC chair.

President William Ruto's government chose to reject suggestions that Ruto's decisions regarding the DRC turmoil may threaten Odinga's AUC candidacy. Kenya actively leads diplomatic efforts to guarantee African stability because this leadership strengthens Odinga's bid for AUC presidency. 

From an historical perspective Kenyan foreign policy maintained simultaneous relations with both African countries and the international community. The planned African-French summit which President Ruto and Macron have organized for 2026 will position Nairobi as a vital link while demonstrating Kenya's strategic position between African and international spheres. 

The successful execution needs precise management to avoid losing African partners while Western relations strengthen. 

Raila's potential AU candidacy seems to depend on Kenya's ability to carefully balance its dedication to African alliance with productive relations between African and international partners.