At the African Union (AU) Institutional Reforms Retreat held in Nairobi, Kenya Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama delivered a compelling call for urgent and transformative reforms within the continent’s collective body.
In his address, Mahama lauded the African Union’s achievements, acknowledging milestones such as the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and peacekeeping missions like the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Yet, he warned that the AU’s current structure, while commendable, needs substantial changes to meet the evolving demands of a rapidly changing Africa.
“We have attained the initial aim of our founding fathers, which is liberation from colonial rule, but now, we must ensure Africa’s political, economic, and social liberation,” Mahama remarked.
For the African Union to effectively tackle the complex challenges the continent faces such as youth unemployment, food insecurity, and climate change.
Mahama emphasized that the AU must evolve into a more efficient, financially independent institution capable of delivering real change. He pointed to the inefficiencies and bureaucratic hurdles that currently impede effective decision-making and called for a streamlined, more agile structure.
“A self-reliant African Union is not just a vision; it is an imperative,” Mahama stated.
He also called for the expedited implementation of the Kigali decision on financing the Union, which aims to reduce over-reliance on external funding and foster a more self-sustaining model.
“We must cultivate the strength to make decisions, fund our operations, and set our own agenda free from external influence,” Mahama argued, framing the AU’s financial autonomy as crucial for the continent’s future sovereignty and unity.
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