African Union no longer fit for purpose, says Kenya’s Ruto

William Ruto has declared that the African Union (AU) is no longer fit to meet the continent’s current and future needs, calling for sweeping institutional reforms.

Ruto made the remarks while addressing intelligence chiefs at the Mashariki Cooperation Conference in Mombasa, where he revealed that African leaders had tasked him with spearheading efforts to restructure the organisation.

According to the Kenyan president, the AU in its current form lacks the capacity to provide the leadership required to drive Africa’s development amid rapidly changing global and regional dynamics.

He stressed that a comprehensive overhaul of the union’s structures and institutions is necessary to reposition it for greater effectiveness.

Ruto pushes for sweeping AU reforms to meet Africa’s future needs

Ruto said there is an urgent need to rethink how the AU operates, warning that failure to reform the organisation could limit Africa’s ability to harness its vast economic and demographic potential.

“My colleagues, heads of state, gave me the assignment to work on the reform of the African Union institutions and organs to make them fit for purpose for a time such as this,” he said.

“I can tell you without an iota of doubt that the African Union, as it is today, is not fit for purpose. It is not fit to provide the leadership that this continent needs going into the future.”

He also called on intelligence and security officials across the continent to contribute ideas that would help shape a more responsive and effective AU.

Ruto noted that while Africa is on track to become one of the world’s largest markets due to its growing population, the continent risks missing out on these opportunities without stronger institutional coordination and leadership at the continental level.

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