AU reforms: rhetoric vs real change

Although some progress has been made, AU reforms have been delayed and several priorities are yet to be achieved.

Date: 2023-07-13

Time: 08:00 to 10:00

Venue: Online via Zoom (register to attend online) or in person, Trademark Hotel, Nairobi (register to attend in-person)

Attend via webcast

To many observers, the African Union’s (AU) reform agenda has been more about rhetoric than concrete advances in the leaders and institutions charged with improving security for African citizens. This seminar will reflect on the status of AU reforms. Speakers will consider institutional and operational changes, the division of labour between the AU, regional economic communities and member states, and efforts to improve the AU’s financial independence.

This seminar is one of three events co-hosted by the ISS and the Embassy of Kenya in Addis Ababa, on the margins of the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the AU, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms from 13-16 July in Nairobi.

The seminar will be conducted in English.

Moderator: Victoria Rubadiri, Senior News Anchor, Citizen TV

Panelists:

• Fonteh Akum, Executive Director, Institute for Security Studies
• Amb George Orina, Director General Bilateral and Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Kenya
• Désiré Assogbavi, Francophone Africa Director, ONE Campaign
• Dr Mohamed Diatta, Director, African Union Liaison Office, Crisis Action
• Liesl Louw-Vaudran Senior Advisor, African Union, International Crisis Group