President William Ruto is set to host a high-profile retreat in Nairobi on Sunday, bringing together five African presidents and top officials from the African Union Commission (AUC) to deliberate on reforms for the continental body.
The meeting, chaired by Ruto as the designated Champion of African Union reforms, seeks to outline a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate institutional changes in the AU. These reforms aim to enhance efficiency, financial autonomy, and governance across the organization, ensuring it remains effective in addressing Africa’s evolving needs.
The retreat will address key issues, including restructuring AU organs, institutions, and agencies to streamline operations and decision-making. According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, discussions will also focus on strategies to reduce the AU’s reliance on external donors by exploring innovative mechanisms for sustainable financing.
“This retreat will explore strategies to strengthen the Pan-African Parliament, operationalize the African Court of Justice, and reinforce governance and accountability across AU institutions to revitalize the Union’s organs,” the ministry stated.
Among the attending heads of state are Comoros President Azali Assoumani, Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé, Guinea-Bissau’s Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and Ethiopia’s Taye Atske Selassie. Ghana’s newly sworn-in President, John Mahama, will also participate in the retreat, which underscores the importance of collective political goodwill in implementing these reforms.
President Embaló, currently on a two-day state visit to Kenya, arrived on Saturday alongside other leaders. Speaking at State House during his meeting with Embaló, Ruto emphasized the strong ties between Kenya and Guinea-Bissau, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to driving the AU reform agenda.
“As the designated Champion for African Union Institutional Reforms, Kenya is steadfast in advancing reforms to ensure the Union remains responsive, effective, and aligned with the needs of our continent,” Ruto said. He added that the reforms aim to strengthen the AU’s capacity to address pressing challenges while maintaining its independence and integrity.
Outgoing AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki will lead the commission’s delegation, marking a pivotal moment in rallying support for Ruto’s ambitious reform initiatives. Ruto is also expected to use the platform to lobby for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for a leadership position within the AU Commission.
This retreat reflects President Ruto’s dedication to transforming the African Union into a more robust and self-reliant institution, capable of championing Africa’s interests on the global stage.
