NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto hosted a special meeting of heads of state and government in a retreat meant to discuss African Union (AU) reforms on Monday.
However, some political commentators view the retreat as a platform to promote former prime minister Raila Odinga’s election as the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.
The meeting in Nairobi is dubbed the High-Level Extended Bureau Retreat on African Union (AU) Institutional Reforms and is scheduled to bring together at least five invited African leaders ahead of the continental body’s polls in Addis Ababa.
Even though President Ruto will host the retreat as the champion of the AU reforms, his administration has planned to use it as a platform for a final pitch for Raila’s AUC bid.
“This pivotal retreat will bring together key stakeholders, including AU Heads of State and Government and senior officials of the African Union Commission (AUC), to discuss and accelerate the finalisation of priority reforms for a more efficient, autonomous, and impactful African Union,” reads a dispatch from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Why the AU Nairobi retreat is critical for Africa
According to the dispatch, the retreat is a critical platform for fostering political will and consensus on the AU reform agenda, which aims to enhance the institutional capacity, governance, and financial sustainability of the African Union.
“It underscores the commitment of African leaders to realise the vision of a united and resilient continent, as articulated in Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want,” the statement further reads.
Confirmed participants include Presidents Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Faure Gnassinge (Togo), Umaro Sissoco Embalo (Guinea Bissau), Taye Atske Selassie (Ethiopia), John Mahama (Ghana), and Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
“Their presence underscores the high-level commitment to driving the reform agenda forward,” reads the dispatch.
What are the key highlights of the AU Summit
According to the retreat organisers, key highlights of the event include advancing AU institutional reforms.
“Participants will engage in focused deliberations on restructuring AU organs, institutions, and agencies to streamline operations and improve decision-making processes,” reads the dispatch.
The retreat will also be used to enhance financial autonomy; hereby, discussions will centre on innovative mechanisms for sustainable financing of the AU, reducing reliance on external donors and ensuring the Union’s financial independence.
The leaders will also discuss how best to revitalise AU organs even as the retreat explores strategies to strengthen the Pan-African Parliament, operationalise the African Court of Justice, and reinforce governance and accountability across AU institutions.
We are implementing reforms at the African Union’s structure to make it more effective and efficient in pursuing the continent’s interests. In Kilgoris, Narok County, met the African Union Commission Chairperson @AUC_MoussaFaki and discussed, among other things, AU reforms and…
Other highlights of the retreat will be how best to accelerate the implementation of AfCFTA.
According to the dispatch, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) remains a cornerstone of the continent’s economic integration and development. Leaders will evaluate progress and address bottlenecks in its implementation.
Finally, the retreat will be used as a platform for promoting inclusion and equity whereby the African leaders present will reaffirm commitments to youth and gender inclusion in the AU’s structures and decision-making processes, ensuring broad-based representation.
“President Ruto’s leadership as Champion of AU Reforms reflects Kenya’s unwavering commitment to driving transformative change on the continent. His call for the retreat aligns with his vision to galvanise African unity and elevate the continent’s global standing,” the statement further reads in part.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs observed that as Africa stands at a crossroads of immense opportunity and challenges, the High-Level Extended Bureau Retreat aims to reignite the spirit of Pan-Africanism and reaffirm the collective resolve of member states to forge a prosperous and self-reliant future.
“The outcomes of this retreat will be instrumental in shaping the trajectory of AU reforms and ensuring that the Union is fit for purpose to address the aspirations and needs of its people,” the statement reads.
How President Ruto might secure a Raila win
During the February 2025 elections, Raila is expected to square it off with Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
Fwamba NC Fwamba Chairman, National Alternative Leadership Forum, exuded confidence in President Ruto’s push for the Raila candidacy.
“President Ruto’s political journey has been defined by his ability to craft winning strategies in highly competitive and often challenging environments. His track record speaks for itself. In 2007, he was at the core of the Pentagon, driving Raila’s campaign under the ODM banner. In 2013, he played a crucial role in securing Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency amid stiff competition. Again, in 2017, he was pivotal in ensuring Uhuru’s re-election despite a contentious political climate,” said Fwamba.
According to Fwamba, President Ruto’s crowning achievement came in 2022 when, despite numerous hurdles, Ruto orchestrated his victory, proving his mastery of political strategy.
When are the AUC chairperson elections
Meanwhile, Raila and his two opponents seek to be elected chairperson of the 55-member state African Union. The winner will succeed the outgoing chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, who has served for two terms.
The upcoming elections for the new chairperson of the AUC will occur during the next annual summit of the AU heads of state and government.
In mid-December 2024, the three candidates participated in a two-hour debate in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
They all advocated for two permanent seats for African countries in the U.N. Security Council to effectively represent the continent with the youngest population.
The African Union has several proposed reforms on its structure and leadership to achieve its purpose, and all candidates promised to implement the reforms if elected.
