Ruto Calls For Urgent African Union Reforms, Breaks Down Reasons

 "The AU Reform Agenda must therefore be a priority and we must interrogate and conduct the process to ensure that structurally, the roles of the Bureau, Summits, Committees, Regional Caucuses, Secretariat and Commission are duly rationalised to give Africa a fit-for-purpose continental governance body with the capacity to engage globally," he addressed.

President Ruto attending the 22nd Summit of the COMESA Heads of State and Government in Lusaka, Zambia on June 8, 2023. /PCS

President Ruto further lamented how African heads of state and governments possessed too much power which he argued should be transferred to the AU for the benefit of the continent in terms of unanimous engagement and decision-making.

"Member states must consider donating power to AU on matters trade, regional and global security as well as other areas that Africa can benefit from engaging together rather than individually," he added.

One such example he gave was the merger between the chair of the AU summit and a similar role at the AU Commission.

“We should merge the position of chair of the AU Summit and that of the AU Commission into one so as to give it sufficient leverage to engage on behalf of Africa,” he went on.

Ruto termed the African Union's Agenda 2063 as a blueprint and a master plan which was key to Africa's transformation into a global superpower for years to come.

The plan, which was adopted by the AU heads of state and government in January 2015 at the 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was temporarily put to slumber, leading to Ruto's intervention.

He alleged that implementing the 50-year plan was a tall order owing to obstacles affecting various nations as a result of individualism.

Ruto thus called for Agenda 2063 to achieve inclusive and sustainable development on the continent as its basis was on the principles of Pan-Africanism, the African Renaissance, and human dignity.

"Otherwise, African Solutions, Agenda 2063, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area and the Young, Clean Green Continent of the Future will never be a reality.

"The AU Reform Agenda must therefore be a priority and we must interrogate and conduct the process to ensure that structurally, the roles of the Bureau, Summits, Committees, Regional Caucuses, Secretariat and Commission are duly rationalised to give Africa a fit-for-purpose continental governance body with the capacity to engage globally," Ruto explained.

He termed Agenda 2063 as an ambitious plan, but also a necessary one given that Africa is a continent with great potential facing many challenges at the same time. Agenda 2063 thus provides a roadmap for Africa to overcome the challenges and build a better future for its people.