President William Ruto and his visiting counterpart from Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
President William Ruto will host at least five African Heads of State and government as well as senior officials of the African Union Commission (AUC) on Sunday to discuss and accelerate the finalisation of priority reforms in the continental body.
President Ruto, who is the champion of AU reforms, hosts the meeting that is expected to provide a critical platform for fostering political will and consensus on the AU reform agenda.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs on Saturday said that this “aims to enhance the institutional capacity, governance, and financial sustainability of the African Union.”
“It underscores the commitment of African leaders to realise the vision of a united and resilient continent, as articulated in Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want,” the Ministry headed by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said.
Some of the Heads of State and government expected to the retreat include Comoros President Azali Assoumani, Togo’s Faure Gnassinge, Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau; Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia, and Ghana’s John Mahama, as well as Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
President Embalo is already in the country and was received by President Ruto on Saturday, January 25 for a two-day State visit.
“Their presence underscores the high-level commitment to driving the reform agenda forward,” the Ministry said.
Even though President Ruto will host the retreat in his capacity as the champion of the AU reforms, the meeting is also expected to provide a platform for Kenya to vouch for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's AUC bid.
The African Union is scheduled to hold elections for the chairperson and commissioners in the next three weeks on February 15 after opening ceremony of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State and Government.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir Sing’oei, who is also the head of Mr Raila’s campaign secretariat, told Nation in an earlier interview that the meeting could provide an opportunity for Kenya to put its case on the sidelines.
“The president chairs the AU reforms team…and so in preparation of his reports to be submitted during the summit next month he has invited a few Heads of State,” Dr Sing’oei told the Nation.
Asked about what the meeting portends for Kenya’s candidacy, coming just three weeks before the AUC chairperson elections, the PS said: “focus is on institutional reforms as the main agenda but you know, obviously I’m sure on the sidelines, the issue of Kenya’s candidacy will arise.”
A dispatch by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, indicated that key highlights of the retreat include advancing AU institutional reforms.
“Participants will engage in focused deliberations on restructuring AU organs, institutions, and agencies to streamline operations and improve decision-making processes,” the Ministry said.
On enhancing financial autonomy, discussions will centre on innovative mechanisms for sustainable financing of the AU, reducing reliance on external donors and ensuring the Union’s financial independence.
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“The retreat will explore strategies to strengthen the Pan-African Parliament, operationalize the African Court of Justice, and reinforce governance and accountability across AU institutions in a bid to revitalise the AU organs.”
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Ministry noted, remains a cornerstone of the continent’s economic integration and development, hence leaders will evaluate progress and address bottlenecks in its implementation.
It also aims to enhance promotion of inclusion and equity.
“The retreat will reaffirm commitments to youth and gender inclusion in the AU’s structures and decision-making processes, ensuring broad-based representation.”
The Ministry noted that President Ruto’s leadership as Champion of AU Reforms reflects Kenya’s unwavering commitment to driving transformative change on the continent.
His call for the retreat, it added, aligns with his vision to galvanize African unity and elevate the continent’s global standing.
“As Africa stands at a crossroads of immense opportunity and challenges, the High-Level Extended Bureau Retreat aims to reignite the spirit of Pan-Africanism and reaffirm the collective resolve of Member States to forge a prosperous and self-reliant future.”
The outcomes of the retreat will be instrumental in shaping the trajectory of AU reforms and ensuring that the Union is fit-for-purpose to address the aspirations and needs of its people.
In the race for the African Union Commission chairperson role, Mr Odinga is facing Djibouti’s Foreign minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and former Madagascar Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato with whom they participated in the Mjadala Afrika debate on December 13 last year.
