AU Reform Retreat Opens in Nairobi as President Ruto Leads Drive for a Stronger, More Effective Union
The High-Level Retreat on African Union (AU) Institutional Reforms has begun in Nairobi , The meeting brings together senior AU officials and policy experts to consolidate proposals on key priority areas ahead of the Special Summit on AU Reforms set for November 26th in Luanda, Angola.
The retreat, convened by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, follows a directive by President William Samoei Ruto, in his capacity as the AU Champion for Institutional Reforms, after he chaired the inaugural meeting of the Ad-Hoc Oversight Committee of Heads of State and Government on October 24th, 2025.
The Nairobi meeting will provide a platform for key AU stakeholders — including the AU Commission and the High-Level Panel on Governance, Peace, and Security Frameworks — to deliberate on six reform priorities. These include the revitalisation of peace and security frameworks, sustainable financing of the Union, operationalisation of the African Court of Justice, revamping of the Pan-African Parliament, streamlining of the Assembly’s format and agenda, and effective categorisation and implementation of AU Assembly and Executive Council decisions.
The retreat aims to develop concrete, actionable proposals to guide the next phase of AU reforms, ensuring the Union becomes more effective, financially sustainable, and responsive to continental challenges.
The recommendations from the Nairobi retreat will be presented to President Ruto later this week, before being shared with the Ad-Hoc Oversight Committee and later submitted for consideration at the Special Summit in Angola.
The AU institutional reforms, spearheaded by President Ruto, are expected to strengthen governance structures, streamline decision-making processes, and enhance the impact of continental organs such as the Pan-African Parliament and the African Court of Justice.
Among those present are H.E Ibrahim Gambari Former Nigeria Foreign Minister, H.E Sam Kutesa Former Uganda Foreign Minister, H.E Pierre Mukoko Head of AU Reforms, Dr. Donald Kaberuka AU financing and Amb Lazarus Amayo Special envoy for AU reforms.