Larry Madowo Ignites Beef With Rutos Secretary

A fiery exchange on Twitter ignited between CNN journalist Larry Madowo and President William Ruto’s press secretary, Emmanuel Talam, regarding the president’s recent attendance at the Italy-Africa Summit in Rome.

The rift stemmed from Madowo’s observation, highlighting a perceived contradiction in Ruto’s actions. He pointed out that in 2023, President Ruto advocated for the African Union (AU) to represent the continent in international discussions, arguing that African leaders should not be “summoned” by individual countries.

However, at the Italy-Africa Summit on January 29, 2024, President Ruto was among the leaders present, while his East African counterparts opted out. This seemingly contradicted his earlier stance.

Madowo took to Twitter, stating, “President William Ruto said he and other African leaders would not be summoned by 1 country. The African Union would represent them going forward. He’s standing just steps away from both the AU chair & the AU Commission chair in Italy while other East African presidents skipped.”

Talam countered Madowo’s tweet, advising him to “Create time to read the President’s speech. Basic journalism.”

Madowo’s sharp response, “You don’t have the range to lecture me about journalism,” quickly ignited a war of words online.

Adding complexity to the situation, President Ruto’s speech at the summit acknowledged his previous remarks. He noted, “I have previously noted that an invitation extended by one country to all 54 African nations did not necessarily serve Africa’s best interests. But those of us present at this conference, representing our colleagues, find it different and inspiring due to the pragmatic approach you have taken, Madam Prime Minister.”

The online debate surrounding this situation is divided. Some argue that Madowo raised a valid point about potential inconsistency in President Ruto’s approach. Others defend Ruto’s attendance, suggesting his speech addressed the earlier concerns and that his presence signifies a pragmatic willingness to engage on different platforms.

Questions Remain:

While the exchange between Madowo and Talam has captivated social media, the question of whether President Ruto’s actions align with his previous stance remains open-ended. Did his speech adequately explain his decision, or does Madowo’s observation hold merit? The public discussion, fueled by this Twitter spat, highlights the evolving nature of diplomacy and the intricate balancing act of representing both a regional bloc and individual nations.