Kenyan President William Ruto has called for sweeping reforms of the African Union, declaring that the continental body is no longer equipped to meet Africa’s current and future challenges.

Speaking at the Mashariki Cooperation Conference in Mombasa, where he addressed intelligence chiefs from across the continent, Ruto said African leaders had tasked him with leading efforts to review and transform the AU’s institutions.

]He emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul to better align the organisation with the continent’s evolving political, economic, and security landscape.

“My colleagues, heads of state, gave me the assignment to work on the reform of the African Union institutions and organs to make them fit for purpose for a time such as this,” Ruto said.

He added: “Without an iota of doubt, 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. Therefore, there is a need for reform.”

Ruto urged intelligence and security leaders to play a role in shaping a more effective AU, capable of unlocking Africa’s vast opportunities.

“I am asking you as intelligence leaders to assist us in determining what kind of African Union we need to unlock the opportunities that exist on our continent,” he said.

The Kenyan leader also cautioned that while Africa has the potential to become the world’s largest market, driven by its rapidly growing population, failure to effectively harness these advantages could pose significant risks to the continent’s stability and development.