Kenyan President William Ruto signed a political cooperation agreement with his former rival Raila Odinga on Friday in an effort to reinvigorate his presidency after months of crisis.

Ruto’s popularity declined when plans for new taxes sparked mass youth protests last year, during which at least 60 people were killed, according to human rights organizations.

The protest movement plunged Ruto’s government into crisis, forcing him to ally with Odinga to form a “broad-based government” last year.

The two men formalized this partnership on Friday, promising to work together on the country’s numerous challenges, including its growing debt and corruption.

A longtime opposition leader, Odinga has run unsuccessfully for the presidency five times in Kenya.

The agreement aims to “help ease the tension prevailing in the country,” the 80-year-old said in a speech. “We agree to take measures to realign the country’s economic, social, and political priorities to address the youth agenda,” he added.

Ruto stated that the alliance with Odinga “is a path to the promised land where freedom and opportunities are guaranteed for all.” However, his administration has faced growing discontent among the youth in a country where 80% of the population is under 35.

Political analysts have described the partnership with Odinga as an attempt to “save a declining regime.” “Everything that could go wrong in the government has gone wrong; the promises he made have not been kept,” analyst Barrack Muluka told AFP.

Although both leaders insist that this is not a full coalition, Muluka said it is an attempt “to set up a machine that would allow Ruto to be re-elected in 2027.” If he remained in opposition, Odinga could “pose incalculable challenges,” according to Muluka.