President William Ruto on Tuesday November 22, held a high-level meeting with members of the High-Level Panel on AU governance, to map out strategies of transforming the continental body into a more effective and responsive institution.
The session was attended by officials led by Africa Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, officials from the Kenyan Mission in Addis Ababa and Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei.
President Ruto in his capacity as Champion of the AU Institutional Reforms, pointed that the ongoing consultations with key stakeholders are reflecting a renewed commitment by the African leaders to make AU “fit for purpose” in addressing pressing challenges across the continent.
“As Champion of the AU institutional reforms – a role my fellow Heads of State privileged me to lead, I have witnessed the determination of African leaders to make the AU effective, efficient and responsive to issues that the continent holds dear,” said the President.
Ruto also noted that the reforms are pivoted on strengthening the Union’s peace and security architecture, improving its financing mechanisms, enhancing governance structures, and operationalizing key continental institutions such as the African Court of Justice and the Pan-African Parliament.
According to the president, an empowered and financially independent AU is the key factor to promoting the interests of Africa globally, while ensuring it can respond swiftly to crises within the continent.
“The vision is to build an AU that can finance its own programmes, speak with one voice on issues affecting Africa and respond effectively to conflicts,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Kenya’s commitment to supporting the agenda of the reform saying it will help in ensuring that the AU delivers tangible results for the people of Africa and strengthening continental unity.
The leaders also underscored the importance of revitalizing the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) in addressing the prevailing and emerging complex peace and security challenges.
