President Challenges Leaders on Inaction

LUANDA, ANGOLA – President William Ruto, in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Institutional Reform, delivered a forceful call to action on Tuesday, 26 November 2025, urging African leaders to cease using financial constraints as a reason to delay vital institutional reforms. [8] Chairing the Second Session of the Ad Hoc Oversight Committee on African Union Institutional Reform, President Ruto argued that many crucial changes do not require monetary resources and that the cost of inaction far outweighs the expense of creating an effective continental body. [8, 9] “There are decisions that do not need any money. Why are we using money as an excuse to delay decisions that do not need money?” he posed to the committee. [8] “If you think the AU is expensive because we want to make it effective, then let us have a non-effective union; it will cost more than the money that we are talking about,” he stated. [8]

The Reform Agenda at Stake

The meeting in Luanda is the latest step in a comprehensive reform process that began in 2016, aimed at making the AU more efficient, financially independent, and capable of delivering on its ambitious Agenda 2063 blueprint for the continent's future. [3, 7] President Ruto, who took over the championship role from Rwandan President Paul Kagame in February 2024, is tasked with providing the high-level political leadership needed to complete the overhaul. [3, 4, 5] The priority areas under review include revitalizing the AU's peace and security architecture, securing sustainable financing to reduce reliance on external partners, operationalizing the African Court of Justice, and revamping the Pan-African Parliament. [8, 10, 18] The reforms are designed to streamline the AU’s sprawling bureaucracy, clarify the division of labour among its organs, and strengthen its ability to respond to continental crises. [10, 21, 25]

Kenya's Role and Regional Implications

President Ruto's leadership on this file significantly elevates Kenya's influence in shaping the continent's trajectory, positioning the nation as a key driver of Pan-African integration and governance reform. [24] A more effective and self-reliant AU directly serves Kenya's and East Africa's interests. An enhanced peace and security framework could lead to more decisive interventions in regional conflicts, such as those in the Eastern DRC and the Sahel. [29] Furthermore, a streamlined and efficient AU is critical for the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a cornerstone of Kenya's economic and foreign policy, which promises to unlock vast markets for Kenyan goods and services. [17, 29] During the summit, President Ruto's delegation also focused on advancing the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, seeking to deepen trade and investment ties. [13, 14]

Redefining the Africa-Europe Partnership

The reform meeting was held alongside the 7th African Union-European Union Summit on Monday and Tuesday, 24-25 November 2025, which marked the 25th anniversary of the formal partnership. [6, 20] The summit, themed “Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism,” provided the backdrop for Africa's collective push to reset its relationship with Europe. [6, 22] Leaders from both continents convened to address shifting geopolitical priorities, funding gaps, and security pressures. [9, 13] African leaders, including AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, forcefully advocated for a move away from the traditional donor-recipient model towards a partnership of equals centered on co-investment, particularly in processing Africa's critical raw materials on the continent. [12, 20, 27] The summit's agenda also included Africa's demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council and reforms to the global financial architecture to reduce the high cost of capital for African nations. [12, 26, 27]

President Ruto is expected to present a comprehensive report on the reform progress, incorporating feedback from the Luanda meeting, for consideration at the next AU Heads of State Summit scheduled for February 2026. [8] The outcomes of these discussions in Angola will be a critical indicator of the continent's collective will to build a more resilient and influential union capable of navigating a complex multipolar world. [12]