President William Ruto hosted African Union (AU) leaders in Nairobi on Monday for a crucial meeting aimed at streamlining developmental strategies under the African Union Institutional Reforms. The President emphasized the urgent need for transformative change across the continent, as Africa faces a mix of economic challenges, evolving geopolitical dynamics, and unprecedented social shifts.
Ruto underscored the pressing issues facing Africa, noting that the continent is struggling with economic stagnation, conflict, and instability. However, he highlighted the potential opportunities that lie ahead, particularly through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which could unlock Africa’s vast potential. “Our task here is to harness these opportunities, galvanize political will, and renew our collective commitment to a prosperous Africa,” Ruto stated, urging AU leaders to work collaboratively to address the continent’s challenges.
One of the key concerns raised by Ruto was the immense cost of conflict, which he noted drains Africa of an estimated $18 billion (Ksh 2.325 trillion) annually. He emphasized the need for a stronger and more effective security architecture to bring peace to the continent’s war-torn nations. “Africa today is home to 35 million internally displaced persons, 8.9 million refugees, 1.1 million asylum seekers, and 1 million stateless persons,” he added, drawing attention to the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis. Between April and June 2024 alone, over 1,000 terrorism-related incidents were reported across Africa, resulting in nearly 5,000 deaths.
As a key advocate for AU reforms, President Ruto pledged to engage in strategic talks with various stakeholders to advance the reform agenda. To date, he has met with the African Union Commission (AUC) leadership, including Chair Moussa Faki, and the AU Institutional Reform Unit Secretariat. Additionally, Ruto has held consultations with the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) in Addis Ababa and the leadership of the Pan African Parliament (PAP).
In a bid to accelerate the reform process, Ruto proposed the formation of a Committee of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on AU Reforms, which would be under his leadership. This committee aims to ensure sustained momentum, strategic oversight, and collective ownership of the reform process. Ruto’s proposal comes ahead of the Ordinary Session of the Assembly in February 2025, where he will be expected to provide a progress report on the implementation of AU reforms.
Through these strategic efforts, President Ruto is positioning himself as a central figure in shaping the future of the African Union and addressing the continent’s most pressing issues.
