Reforms at the African Union (AU) must be executed with resolve and a sense of urgency, President William Ruto has said.
Speaking in Naivasha during a retreat on the Institutional Reforms of the African Union on Tuesday, Ruto said the reforms must be commensurate with the magnitude, challenges, potential and ambition of the African continent.
“We have highly educated young people skilled and youthful and they are ready to play their part in developing the continent. We must not let them down or keep them waiting,” he said.
Present at the meeting included Musa Faki, the chair of the AU Commission and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi among other dignitaries.
Ruto added that the continent must build institutions that can be used to position Africa appropriately.
“Under AU Agenda 2063, we have a coherent pathway to unleash the potential and propel the continent into the league of highly developed society,” he said.
“We must intentionally align our pan-African institutions with the continent’s aspirations and configure them to be agile and responsive.”
Ruto regretted that Africa is endowed with abundant potential that largely remains untapped.
“This denies immense opportunities in many sectors including agriculture, mining, manufacturing and energy. It is correct to say Africa cannot continue to play in the periphery,” he added.
After the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in February, President Paul Kagame presented his final report on AU reforms and proposed Ruto take over the mantle. Peers agreed with the suggestion.
Kagame’s reforms had seen the creation of the Africa Peace Fund which has since mobilised some U.S. $400 million and influenced the United Nations Security Council to approve UN financing of three-quarters of AU peace operations for the first time.
In May, Ruto committed to instituting far-reaching reforms within the African Union.
“As I take over the assignment from President Kagame, let me make four points. We will be proposing that the Africa Union Commission, the executive be given sufficient powers to be able to prosecute Africa’s economic diplomacy,” Ruto said.
He said the move would unlock the potential of the continent.
