Addis Ababa, — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat said institutional reform is underway within the African Union to make it more efficient and more able to meet the challenges of a changing world.
The chair made the remark while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 44th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union here in Addis Ababa.
Foreign Affairs Ministers of AU member countries, heads of international organizations and other invited guests are attending the two day meeting.
Opening the meeting, the Chairperson of AUC talked about ongoing institutional reform activities within the African Union to make the continental organization more efficient.
He acknowledged the challenges faced in implementing the reform agenda, citing limitations in resources, political resistance, and bureaucratic inertia as notable obstacles.
Concerns were raised about the AU's heavy reliance on external funding, which exposes it to potential vulnerabilities arising from fluctuations in donor support.
The Chairperson underscored the importance of institutional reform within the AU to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in addressing the evolving challenges of a changing world.
"This reform initiative has been in motion since the second session of the Executive Council held in Nairobi, Kenya, back in June 2023, and it continues to be a vital partnership in the face of geopolitical, geoeconomic, and geostrategic transformations on the global stage."
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During his address, Chairperson Mahamat drew attention to specific areas of focus in the ongoing institutional reform efforts. These include the finalization of reforms for 40 specialized agencies within the AU, as well as the clarification of roles and responsibilities among the AU, regional economic communities, and member states.
Such reforms aim to streamline operations and improve coordination among these entities, he stated.
The Chairperson has also stressed the need for strong commitment of member countries to effectively implement the development plans stipulated in Africa's Agenda 2063.
Financial management emerged as another crucial aspect highlighted by Chairperson Faki. He stressed the need for increased transparency and accountability within the AU. Prompt payment of dues by member states and the enhancement of program budget implementation were emphasized as crucial factors for achieving financial stability.
Furthermore, the Chairperson emphasized the importance of enhancing the quality and efficiency of the AU's workforce.
In this regard, the development of new recruitment and performance evaluation systems was identified as crucial to achieving the desired objectives.
