President William Ruto has received a set of far-reaching proposals aimed at reshaping the African Union’s governance and operational structure, as the continent moves toward the Special Summit on AU Reforms to be held on November 26 in Luanda, Angola.
The recommendations were presented to President Ruto, who is the AU Champion for Institutional Reforms, by a high-level panel of eminent experts during a meeting held in Tuesday.
The session brought together members of the High-Level Panel on Governance, Peace and Security, the High Representative on Financing the Union, senior officials from the AU Commission, the Kenya Mission in Addis Ababa, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The experts handed over a detailed report outlining proposed changes meant to make the Union more effective, self-reliant, and responsive to the continent’s needs.
Central to the recommendations are measures to strengthen Africa’s peace and security frameworks, secure sustainable financing for the AU, operationalize the African Court of Justice, and streamline the format and agenda of the AU Assembly.
The report also called for proper categorization of AU Assembly and Executive Council decisions to ensure they are implemented efficiently and in line with the Union’s Rules of Procedure.
The experts said these adjustments are key to ensuring that the AU becomes more accountable and results-oriented.
During the meeting, participants showed that revitalizing the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) is vital to addressing ongoing and emerging threats to stability across the continent.
They urged Member States to renew their commitment to reforms and to align their national priorities with continental goals.
“The African Union must be well-equipped to manage Africa’s peace, governance, and development challenges. This reform process is about making the Union fit for purpose,” the panel said in its presentation.
The experts also called for renewed Pan-African solidarity and unity of purpose, noting that Africa’s position in a changing global order depends on how effectively it reforms its institutions.
They stressed that Member States should take collective responsibility in driving internal reforms rather than relying on external partners.
President Ruto praised the comprehensive nature of the proposals, saying they represented a crucial step toward transforming the Union into a stronger and more independent organization. “These reforms are necessary for Africa to take charge of its destiny and ensure that the African Union delivers real results for our people,” he said.
The meeting agreed that reforming the Union’s financial model was a top priority to enable self-sufficiency in implementing its agenda and programs.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to fast-tracking the process so that the Union becomes better aligned with the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
As the AU Champion for Institutional Reforms, President Ruto will present the panel’s findings and recommendations at the upcoming Luanda summit, where African leaders will deliberate on the next phase of the continental reform process.
