The African Union (AU) is convening a retreat in Kigali to delve into the Institutional Reforms and the second decade of Agenda 2063, a comprehensive development framework for Africa. The retreat, which began on June 8 and will conclude on June 11, has convened a range of key stakeholders. Among those in attendance are Moussa Faki Mahammat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Assoumani Youssouf Mondoha, Chair of the AU Permanent Representatives' Committee (PRC); Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives; as well as representatives from AU member states. ALSO READ: Kagame calls for acceleration of African Union reforms The opening session of the retreat featured insightful addresses from prominent figures, setting the tone for the discussions ahead. Minister of State in Charge of East African Community, Manasseh Nshuti, emphasized the need for effective functioning of the entire institutional architecture to ensure the AU's optimal performance. He stressed the urgency of endorsing the division of labor in implementing AU priorities, enhancing the organization's structures, and aligning efforts with the principle of subsidiarity and comparative advantage. Nshuti also highlighted the importance of gradually achieving operational autonomy by reducing reliance on external partner funding and increasing Member States' contributions. ALSO READ: Time for Africa’s citizens to drive AU reforms In his address, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, expressed his appreciation to President Paul Kagame for his remarkable leadership in championing the Institutional Reform of the African Union. President Kagame's commitment to hosting the retreat further underscores his dedication to concluding the institutional reform process, he said. The decision to initiate the reform was made in Kigali back in July 2016, driven by the need to save the AU from a looming financial crisis. The Heads of State and Government agreed to adopt a predictable funding mechanism, with member states fully funding the organization's operating budget. The retreat, facilitated by the African Union Commission, gathers members of the AU Permanent Representatives' Committee (PRC), African Union Organs, and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The focus of the discussions revolves around the Institutional Reforms and the ongoing processes to reposition the AU, ensuring it possesses the necessary institutional capacity to fulfill the economic, political, and social vision encapsulated in Agenda 2063. The reform agenda places importance on prioritizing key continental issues, realigning AU institutions to effectively meet objectives, improving operational efficiency, and achieving sustainable self-financing for the Union. Furthermore, the retreat also delves into the second ten-year plan of Agenda 2063, covering the period from 2024 to 2033. ALSO READ: Strong regional blocs key to prosperous African Union – Kagame Adopted in 2015, Agenda 2063 represents the collective aspirations of the African people, encapsulating their vision for The Africa We Want in 2063. The retreat serves as a platform to review the progress made in the first decade of Agenda 2063 and draw valuable lessons for the second decade. The first decade focused on convergence, and the forthcoming ten-year plan aims to accelerate the continent's development trajectory. The insights garnered from the evaluation of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan, as well as the biennial progress reports, have informed the design of the successor plan. The engagement at the retreat is crucial in ensuring that Agenda 2063 remains relevant to the development discourse and fulfills the aspirations of African citizens.
