NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan President William Ruto has announced that the African Union (AU) has agreed to establish a committee of five presidents to complement efforts by the African Union’s Champion for Institutional Reform.
President Ruto was given the mandate to champion reforms of the African Union by fellow Heads of State last year.
The committee, he said, will help to drive the implementation of agreed reforms of various agencies, institutions, and organizations.
“This will broaden the ownership of the reform process, enhance the momentum, and provide strategic leadership for the implementation process,” President Ruto said.
President Ruto said reform of the African peace and security architecture was necessary to ensure lasting peace and stability.
He noted that peace and stability are key to continental sustainable development, noting that investors will shy away from conflict-prone areas.
The President said it was unfortunate that Africa has “become a theatre of conflict and terrorism,” while the continent’s response has been inadequate.
“Our response has been uncoordinated, under-resourced, and not very well planned,” he said.
What did the African Union panel recommend in Nairobi
The retreat recommended the establishment of a panel of experts to propose ways for strengthening Africa’s conflict response and financing mechanism.
President Ruto also said the leaders have proposed the financing of the African Union to make it more financially autonomous.
He said they had also recommended the operationalisation of the African Court of Justice and the appointment of judges.
The Kenyan leader who took over the East African Committee (EAC) chairperson in November 2024 said this will ensure that the continent has a mechanism for conflict resolution in Africa, especially on disputes.
President Ruto said the leaders also discussed the Pan-African Parliament and deliberated on how to make it more accountable and effective to serve the greater interests of the continent.
He said the East African Community will convene an extraordinary summit of heads of state on the situation in Eastern DRC Congo on Wednesday.
He made the remarks during a press briefing following the conclusion of a high-level retreat of the Extended Bureau of the African Union Institutional Reforms he chaired at State House, Nairobi.
Who are the notable African leaders who attended the Nairobi meeting
Presidents who attended the meeting were John Mahama (Ghana), Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Taye Atske Selassie (Ethiopia), and Umaro Sissoco Embaló (Guinea-Bissau). Also present was African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.
They deliberated extensively on areas of reform of the African Union, focusing on peace and stability, funding, and the reform of the Pan-African Parliament and the African Court of Justice.
“A fit-for-purpose African Union is a necessary imperative at this point if the Union has to play the role of speaking for 1.4 billion Africans,” President Ruto said.
The President said it was unfortunate that Africa has “become a theatre of conflict and terrorism,” while the continent’s response has been inadequate.
“Our response has been uncoordinated, under-resourced, and not very well planned,” President Ruto said.
The retreat recommended the establishment of a panel of experts to propose ways for strengthening Africa’s conflict response and financing mechanism.
President Ruto also said the leaders have proposed the financing of the African Union to make it more financially autonomous.
🗳️𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝟏, 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝟐, 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝟑. 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. The elections of the African Union Commission will be conducted as follows: The 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 elects and appoints the…
He said they had also recommended the operationalisation of the African Court of Justice and the appointment of judges.
Why did the African leaders meeting in Nairobi discuss the Continental Parliament
He said this will ensure that the continent has a mechanism for conflict resolution in Africa, especially on disputes.
President Ruto said the leaders also discussed the Pan-African Parliament and deliberated on how to make it more accountable and effective to serve the greater interests of the continent.
He said the East African Community will convene an extraordinary summit of heads of state on the situation in Eastern DRC Congo on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
President Selassie called for regular and comprehensive dialogue on issues affecting the continent, emphasising the importance of fostering strong political will to achieve the continent’s transformation agenda.
He also advocated the formation of an AU Peace Support Directorate similar to that of the United Nations.
“We have to put in place a structure that reflects the UN Security Council, particularly the peace support operation,” said the Kenyan leader.
𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗨 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗦, 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗢 President @WilliamsRuto has called for a united front in reforming the African Union to make it efficient and responsive in serving Member States and the people of Africa…
President Mahama said the AU requires bold and transformative reforms to address emerging challenges effectively.
He said the AU must evolve to become more efficient and impactful by streamlining its decision-making processes to ensure they are timely and results-orientated.
Why efficiency must be the guiding principle on the African continent
He added that overlapping mandates hinder effective decision-making, noting that bureaucratic inefficiencies undermine the confidence of citizens and international partners.
“Efficiency must be the guiding principle in how we conduct our affairs, ensuring that our policies and programmes translate into real change for our people,” said President Ruto.
President Embalo pointed out that reforms of the African Union are essential for the common good of the continent to drive it to an era of peace and global influence.
“We face many challenges, but the opportunities available on our continent are immense,” said Ruto, who succeeded South Sudan President Salva Kiirr from his current EACC position.
