The African Union (AU) has backed President William Ruto’s push for institutional reforms, with its Deputy Chairperson calling for better accountability, reliable funding and stronger cooperation among African countries.
Speaking at the Trust Summit in Nairobi on Thursday, October 22, AU Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi recognised Ruto’s role as the AU Champion for Institutional Reform, saying his efforts had helped advance the push for a more effective and financially sustainable organisation.
Haddadi said the AU must demonstrate its value by delivering on its commitments, adding that African governments and institutions also had a responsibility to support the Union through political commitment and consistent funding.
She noted that Africa’s integration plans, including Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), needed to produce practical results and strengthen relations between countries.
The Deputy Chairperson warned that agreements and declarations would have little impact if countries failed to build trust, remain accountable and honour their commitments.
“We have never needed one another more, while finding it increasingly difficult to trust one another,” Haddadi said, pointing to conflicts and climate change as some of the challenges that require greater international cooperation.
She described trust as a key requirement for cooperation, saying governments, businesses and institutions must have confidence that their partners will fulfil the promises they make.
“Trust is therefore not simply a moral aspiration. It is an essential condition of our collective capacity to act,” she stated.
Haddadi also sought reforms within international organizations, especially the United Nations, where reforms were needed to ensure there was improved representation, fairness, and application of international laws.
She observed that reforms to make international organizations better should be part of efforts to save multilateralism.
“Defending and maintaining multilateralism and reforming multilateralism are not competing ambitions. They are complementary responsibilities,” she said.
Ruto Advocating AU Reform
Ruto was named the AU Institutional Reform Champion in February 2024 after succeeding Rwandan President Paul Kagame in the position.
His role is to assist in making the regional body effective and responsive to the needs of Africa’s member states.
In February 2025, Ruto proposed reforms meant to make the operations of the AU more efficient, remove duplication of mandates and enhance accountability.
The Kenyan president has further asked for more dependable financing for the Union and collaboration among African nations on matters of conflict resolution among others.