Nairobi – Kenyan President William Ruto has called for urgent reforms to the African Union, saying the continental body in its current form is not capable of providing the leadership Africa needs going forward.
“I can tell you without an iota of doubt that the African Union as it is today is not fit for purpose, is not fit to provide the leadership that this continent needs going into the future. And therefore, there is a need for the reform of the African Union,” Ruto said.
The remarks have sparked widespread debate among African leaders and policy experts about the effectiveness of the AU in addressing pressing challenges on the continent, including governance, economic integration and security.
The AU, which brings together 55 member states across the continent, has faced growing criticism in recent years over its response to conflicts, political instability and slow progress on key integration initiatives. For the Kingdom of Eswatini, which is a member state, the debate around AU reforms is particularly relevant given the country’s reliance on the continental body to help navigate regional economic and security concerns.
The AU was established in 2002 to replace the Organisation of African Unity, with a broader mandate to promote unity, peace and economic integration across the continent. The transition marked a shift from the OAU’s primary focus on ending colonialism and protecting state sovereignty to a more proactive approach aimed at addressing conflicts, strengthening governance and advancing development.
The AU was also designed to overcome criticisms of the OAU’s limited ability to intervene in crises, giving it greater authority to respond to issues such as war crimes and political instability, while deepening economic cooperation among member states and positioning Africa as a stronger and more unified force in global affairs.
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