President William Ruto has called on African leaders to revive the political will and determination to accept the African Union Institutional reforms.
Speaking in Nairobi when he chaired his first meeting as the AU champion for reforms, Ruto said that this must be done, to achieve the desired continent.
He insisted that these reforms are within reach but this can only be done if the leaders act with urgency and united
“To realise the objectives of “The Africa We Want” as outlined in Agenda 2063, we must reinvigorate our political resolve to embrace the African Union’s institutional reforms. These reforms are fundamental to transforming the AU into a robust institution capable of securing a progressive and united Africa,” Ruto said.
Leaders who attended the retreat held at State House, Nairobi include President John Mahama (Ghana), President Azali Assoumani (Comoros), President Taye Atske Selassie (Ethiopia), Umaro Sissoco Embaló (Guinea-Bissau), and the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
He went on to say that the continent is currently facing unprecedented challenges, especially in the peace and security areas.
Ruto said that these security challenges continue to rob Africa of its potential, costing the continent an estimated $18 billion annually and displacing millions of people.
“Africa today is home to 35 million internally displaced persons, 8.9 million refugees, 1.1 million asylum seekers and 1 million stateless persons. Between April and June 2024 alone, a total of 1,000 terrorism incidents were recorded across Africa, resulting in 4,818 deaths.”
The President said with how the AU security structure is designed, it has no capacity to address the complex challenges Africa faces today.
He added that this is the reason there is a need for an urgent revival of the peace and security architecture.
“The African Union’s presence in regional hotspots remains weak, fragmented and under-resourced. The AU’s network of Special Envoys and High Representatives is under-utilised and urgently needs refreshing in certain cases,” he said.
Ruto insisted that peace is the key precondition for development, and Africa’s aspirations are being hindered by these destabilising forces.
He insisted that this can only be remedied by the development of an action plan for countering terrorism in Africa.
“The fight against terrorism on our continent remains fragmented, reactive, poorly resourced and uncoordinated. Developing a comprehensive Plan of Action for countering terrorism in Africa, as foreseen by the 2022 Malabo Declaration, cannot wait any longer,” the President said.
