For anyone who thinks African diplomacy is all about boring speeches and tepid tea, the 39th African Union Summit just proved you wrong. While the official agenda was “Sustainable Water and Sanitation,” the real action was happening in a high-security suite at the AU Headquarters. The protagonist? Nobel Peace Prize winner and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The mission? To stop the “Cold War” between President William Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, before it destabilized the entire region.
It wasn’t a coincidence. On the eve of the summit’s conclusion, PM Abiy hosted a state dinner. But as the other heads of state mingled, a strategic “redirection” occurred. Insiders whisper that Abiy, known for his “Medemer” (synergy) philosophy, orchestrated a private moment where Ruto and Uhuru had no choice but to face each other without their phalanx of aggressive advisors.
For months, the two have communicated through proxies and snarky press releases. In Addis, Abiy reportedly told them bluntly: “Kenya is the anchor of East Africa. If the anchor is rusted by personal pride, the whole ship sinks.”
Abiy Ahmed is in a unique position. He owes a debt of gratitude to Uhuru Kenyatta, who was instrumental in mediating the Tigray conflict that threatened to tear Ethiopia apart. Simultaneously, he needs a strong working relationship with William Ruto to drive regional infrastructure projects like the LAPSSET corridor and energy sharing.
By acting as the “Kingmaker,” Abiy wasn’t just playing peacemaker; he was protecting Ethiopia’s interests. A Kenya divided by the Ruto-Uhuru feud is a Kenya that cannot effectively partner on security or trade. Abiy’s “ambush” was a masterclass in using “Soft Power” to solve a “Hard Power” problem.
What happened in that closed-door session? Sources suggest it wasn’t about “forgiving and forgetting” the 2022 elections. Instead, it was a business meeting. They discussed the DRC Dossier. Uhuru, as the Facilitator, has the “boots on the ground” knowledge; Ruto, as the President, has the “sovereign authority” and the checkbook.
Abiy reportedly moderated a discussion where they agreed to a “Diplomatic Division of Labor.” Uhuru would continue his quiet shuttle diplomacy in Goma and Kinshasa, while Ruto would handle the high-level institutional reforms and funding at the AU level. It was a “handshake” of necessity, not necessarily of the heart.
The photograph that emerged—the three leaders standing side-by-side—sent shockwaves through the “Kieleweke” and “Kenya Kwanza” camps back in Nairobi. In that single frame, the “dynasty vs. hustler” narrative was momentarily suspended. For the internet, it was a “trending” moment; for the diplomats, it was a “sigh of relief.”
By successfully hosting this “mini-summit” within the AU Summit, Abiy Ahmed solidified his status as the primary mediator in the Horn of Africa. He proved that despite Ethiopia’s own internal challenges, Addis Ababa remains the “Political Capital of Africa” where even the most bitter rivals can be brought to the table.
The “Addis Accord” might be fragile, but it’s a start. PM Abiy Ahmed managed to do what no Kenyan elder or religious leader has been able to do for two years: get William and Uhuru to look at the same map. As the leaders departed, the takeaway was clear—in the game of African thrones, sometimes you need a neighbor to remind you that you’re on the same team.