Kenya’s President, William Ruto, has voiced his disappointment over the treatment of African leaders during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in London. In a candid discussion with Mo Ibrahim, a British-Sudanese business magnate, at the Mo Ibrahim Governance Weekend held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, President Ruto expressed his concerns about the manner in which African leaders were transported to the event.
“We were made to feel like school kids being loaded onto buses,” said President Ruto, highlighting the stark contrast in transportation arrangements between African and Western leaders. While Western leaders enjoyed the luxury of private cars, African leaders were herded onto buses, leaving them feeling undervalued and disrespected.
President William Ruto and other African presidents in a bus as they headed to Buckingham Palace in United Kingdom for the funeral service of the late Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022
Image: COURTESY
President Ruto’s dissatisfaction with the treatment of African leaders at the Queen’s funeral has led him to call for a change in approach. He proposed that African leaders should send designated representatives to attend Western events instead of attending in large groups. President Ruto has suggested that the African Union and its bureau should provide suitable officials for such roles.
“Our decision within the AU is that moving forward, any discussions between Africa and other nations should be represented by the chair and the bureau. This is the stance I, as Kenya’s President, will adopt,” declared President Ruto.
The Mo Ibrahim Governance Weekend provided the perfect platform for President Ruto to share his concerns about the treatment of African leaders abroad. The event brought together a distinguished group of African leaders, including AU Chairman Moussa Faki and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Jane Mohammed, for vital discussions on governance and leadership across the continent.
President Ruto’s call for a change in approach has been well-received by many. In the words of Mo Ibrahim, “It is time for the world to treat African leaders with the respect they deserve.” The African continent has a rich cultural heritage and a wealth of resources that must be acknowledged and respected. As President Ruto has pointed out, sending designated representatives to Western events may be the way forward, ensuring that African leaders are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
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