Time for action! Ruto leads fresh push for reforms in AU

President William Ruto, who serves as the AU Champion for Institutional Reforms, chairs a high-level AU meeting in Nairobi/SCREENGRAB

A high-level meeting of the African Union (AU) chaired by President William Ruto has urged member states to recommit to the continental body’s institutional reform agenda.

The meeting described the reforms as key to realising Africa’s long-term development vision under Agenda 2063.

The meeting, held in Nairobi, brought together members of the High-Level Panel on AU Governance, Peace and Security, and the High Representative on Financing the Union.

It resolved to accelerate the completion of the ongoing reform process to ensure that the union is well-positioned to deliver on its mandate and aspirations for a united, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.

Ruto, who serves as the AU Champion for Institutional Reforms, received a consolidated report detailing recommendations on priority areas that will inform discussions at the forthcoming Special Summit on African Union Reforms set for November 26, 2025, in Luanda, Angola.

Key recommendations from the Nairobi meeting include repositioning Africa amidst a rapidly changing global geopolitical environment, revitalising Pan-Africanism, securing sustainable and predictable financing for the Union, and streamlining the AU Assembly’s agenda and decision-making processes.

The meeting also proposed a clearer categorisation of Assembly and Executive Council decisions in line with the AU Rules of Procedure.

In a statement, participants underscored the importance of revitalising the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) as essential frameworks for addressing Africa’s complex and evolving peace and security challenges.

The priority areas identified for urgent action include: Revitalisation of peace and security mechanisms; sustainable and transparent financing of the union; operationalisation of the African Court of Justice; streamlining of the AU Assembly’s structure and agenda; and improved coordination in implementing AU decisions.

The High-Level Retreat on AU Institutional Reforms, convened by Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, builds on momentum from the inaugural meeting of the Ad-Hoc Oversight Committee of Heads of State and Government held on October 24, 2025, under Ruto’s chairmanship.

The reforms, championed by Ruto since his appointment as AU reform lead, are designed to strengthen governance structures, streamline decision-making, and enhance the effectiveness of continental organs such as the Pan-African Parliament and the African Court of Justice.

Agenda 2063 — the AU’s 50-year blueprint for transforming Africa — envisions “The Africa We Want,” anchored on seven aspirations, including inclusive economic growth, regional integration, good governance, peace and security, cultural identity, people-driven development, and a resilient Africa as a global player.

The Nairobi meeting reaffirmed that institutional reform is central to achieving these aspirations, ensuring that the African Union remains responsive, efficient, and reflective of the continent’s shared vision and priorities.