Intergovermental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened an Inter-REC/RM CEOs Coordination meeting on the margins of the African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, set to chart a new course for strategic coordination and institutional reform.
The meeting that brought together heads of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), was Chaired by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and hosted by IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu.
Speaking at Malabo, Equitorial Guinea, IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, emphasized that the time had come to move beyond merely symbolic references to Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as “building blocks” of the African Union.
He called for concrete structural changes that would embed RECs more firmly within the AU’s operational framework. “These are not symbolic gestures—they are structural shifts toward a more coherent, efficient, and African-owned development architecture,” he stated.
Speaking in the same meting, African Union Chairperson announced four transformative commitments:
The AU will establish a dedicated budget line for REC activities, fulfilling a long-standing provision in the 2021 Protocol on AU–REC Relations. This move is expected to unlock financial resources that have been absent despite formal obligations under Article 22 of the protocol.
AU Commission will institutionalize regular face-to-face engagements with REC and RM CEOs, beginning with this very meeting. This marks a significant departure from ad hoc consultations and signals a new era of sustained dialogue and collaboration.The issue of inadequate office accommodations for RECs within the AU compound was addressed.
The AU Chairperson tasked his Deputy Chief of Staff with identifying and allocating suitable spaces that reflect the strategic importance of RECs. In a symbolic yet powerful gesture, the seating of REC principals was elevated from the delegates’ section to the main dais—an act that visibly affirms their central role in continental governance.
The AU committed to expanding access to the African Union Laissez-Passer for senior REC officials, facilitating smoother travel and collaboration across the continent. While legal procedures remain, the commitment signals a strong intent to remove bureaucratic barriers to integration.
Additionally, they reaffirmed the urgency of finalizing the Division of Labour Framework among AU organs, RECs, and Member States. IGAD’s leadership in this process underscores its commitment to transforming continental rhetoric into tangible reforms that benefit African citizens, from traders and students to innovators and entrepreneurs.
This framework aims to eliminate duplication and ensure that each institution focuses on its core strengths. The outcomes of this CEOs gathering are expected to shape deliberations and accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063.