President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune called for the continuation of the institutional reform process of the African Union, according to a renewed and more efficient reform approach. In his speech, delivered on his behalf by Prime Minister Saifi Gharib during the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit, President Tebboune expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to President William Ruto for the comprehensive report he presented on the institutional reform of the African Union, confirming his support for his tireless efforts aimed at the success of this vital process.
The President of the Republic stated, “Today we are approaching the end of a decade since the launch of this reform process in 2016, a process characterized overall by achieving relatively satisfactory results. However, its work has expanded, its fields have branched out, and its challenges have multiplied, creating a situation that requires today a responsible pause for evaluation, review, and correction.”
He added, “From our point of view, our optimal choice lies in continuing this path, but according to a renewed and more efficient reform approach, based on clarity of vision and realism in implementation, and with a pragmatic spirit that takes into account our financial and human capabilities and complies with the applicable legal and administrative frameworks, while adopting a flexible gradual method that focuses on addressing reform axes on a case-by-case approach, away from comprehensive approaches that may drain our resources and weaken the effectiveness of our decisions.”
The President of the Republic called for continuing this path according to a new approach that should set as its goals basic priorities such as enhancing the effectiveness of the African Union’s political bodies by rationalizing their work and focusing on priority issues, and ensuring the harmony of their strategic directions and decisions with current challenges.
He also stressed the need to proceed with reforming the Union’s structure and programs in a gradual and realistic manner that ensures the optimal use of resources, enhances the independence of continental decision-making, and limits excessive dependence on external partners, while establishing the principles of transparency and effectiveness in implementing programs, developing recruitment and follow-up mechanisms, rationalizing expenditures, and seeking to explore new sources of sustainable financing that ensure the credibility and effectiveness of joint African action.
The President also recommended restructuring the continental peace and security system to ensure the full activation of its pillars and enhance its ability to respond to escalating security challenges, by supporting preventive diplomacy, intensifying mediation efforts, and activating field mechanisms for conflict management and ensuring the effectiveness of the Peace Fund’s work.
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