Kenyan President William Ruto has declared that the African Union, AU, in its current form, is “not fit for purpose,” stating that it lacks the capacity to provide the leadership Africa needs as it heads into a future marked by rapid demographic growth, complex security threats, geopolitical shifts, and economic ambitions.
President Ruto made this known in his closing remarks at the end of the Mashariki Cooperation Conference III, hosted by Kenya’s National Intelligence Service, NIS, on Sunday, calling for an overhaul of the African Union.
The gathering brought together intelligence and security chiefs from across Africa, along with high-level delegates from nearly 100 countries, to deliberate on “Intelligence for Peace,” with a sharp focus on leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence for regional stability and security.
“I can tell you without an iota of doubt that the African Union as it is today is not fit for purpose. It is not fit to provide the leadership that this continent needs going into the future. And therefore, there is a need for the reform of the African Union,” Ruto stated.
The president revealed that his fellow African heads of state have entrusted him with spearheading the reform process, tasking him with reviewing and restructuring the AU’s institutions and organs to make them more efficient, accountable, and responsive to contemporary challenges.
He specifically urged intelligence leaders present at the conference to play a central role in shaping this new framework, emphasising that security architecture must underpin any meaningful continental progress.
Ruto’s remarks come against the backdrop of ongoing AU institutional reform discussions, in which he has previously served as champion.
Recall that in 2025 and February 2026, the Kenyan leader presented progress reports on restructuring AU organs, improving the division of labour between the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and member states, and enhancing peace and security mechanisms.
His latest intervention signals a push to accelerate these efforts amid concerns over the AU’s ability to address issues like coups, terrorism, climate-induced conflicts, and the opportunities presented by Africa’s youthful population, projected to make up about a quarter of the global total in coming decades.
This year’s edition of the conference featured strategic reflections on harnessing AI for resilient, inclusive, and innovative security solutions, lessons from past intelligence failures (including references to the Rwandan genocide), and the need for stronger synergy between regional mechanisms and the AU.
AU not fit, lacks capacity provide leadership Africa needs – Kenya President, Ruto
