NAIROBI, Kenya—Jan 29, 2026—President William Ruto has underscored the importance of reforming the African Union (AU) to make it more responsive to the continent’s evolving challenges, during the Third Virtual Session of the Ad Hoc Oversight Committee on AU Institutional Reform.
Speaking in his capacity as Champion for African Union Institutional Reform, President Ruto said the process is critical and timely, driven by shifting continental and global realities, growing expectations from African citizens, and the urgent need for the Union to respond effectively to issues of peace, development, and regional integration.
“The reform agenda is essential to ensuring that the African Union remains fit for purpose, responsive to the needs and aspirations of Member States and the African people, while strengthening coherence, efficiency, and accountability across its institutions,” President Ruto said.
The session, held virtually, brought together a number of African heads of state, including John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, and Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi.
Also in attendance were the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, AU High Representative for Financing Donald Kaberuka, and senior officials from Angola, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Congo, among others.
President Ruto has taken a leading role in driving AU reforms, emphasizing the need for stronger institutional structures that can deliver on the Union’s mandate in areas such as peacekeeping, conflict resolution, economic integration, and sustainable development.
Kenya’s leadership in the reform process reflects the country’s broader engagement with continental affairs, including active participation in AU initiatives and regional peace efforts.
Observers say the reforms aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency, positioning the Union to better serve its 55 member states and the continent’s growing population.
The session marks another milestone in ongoing continental discussions aimed at modernising the African Union and ensuring its institutions are equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing Africa.
