Mauritian aspirant of AUC chair vows to make good governance and accountability paramount
As the campaign for the next African Union Commission chair intensifies, Mauritius seems up for the challenge
PSC Report interviewed Special Envoy of the Mauritian Prime Minister and AUC candidate Anil Kumarsingh Gayan about his vision and intentions for the AU should he prevail.
What inspired you to enter the race for chairship and what is your vision for the AU?
It is East Africa’s turn to present a candidate for the first time in the history of the AUC. With my experience in and outside government, as a professional and a consultant to the United Nations and my involvement in Africa, I’m confident that I could enhance the lives of ordinary Africans. The time has come to shake things up a little and make the AU truly relevant in the lives of every African, whether living in camp, village, town or big city. The AUC should care for citizens and the gap must be narrowed between it and the people. The AU must inspire confidence that it can be looked on to find African solutions to African problems.
If selected as AUC chairperson, what would be your initial priority and how would you go about it?
My first focus would be good governance, which I propose to achieve by introducing sound standards. We need international norms, benchmarks, measurable timelines and a results-oriented organisation to produce decisions that are in the best interests of Africa. A recent survey at the AUC found that fewer than 10% of decisions made have been implemented. If this were the private sector, we would be out of a job. At the AUC, we need to make decisions appropriate for the people for whom they are made. And we must enact them. If we cannot do this, we should explain why.
The time has come to shake things up and make the AU truly relevant in the lives of every African
What do you believe are Africa’s most pressing issues and what role should the AU play in addressing them?
Continental integration seeks to bring peace, and peace and stability facilitate development and growth. However, Africa has not been at peace. We keep talking about silencing the guns and the Africa we want, but what have we achieved? We still face unemployment, hunger, famine, displacement and human deaths over a few litres of petrol. The many displaced Africans are not just a statistic ― they are human beings who need care; the care the AUC must give them. At present, I do not see that as I have emphasised in many interactions with the wider media.
If we conducted a survey, not many people would know what the AUC stands for or how it has improved the lives of Africans. The time has come to make it a living organisation that works for the welfare of those who are, unfortunately, just statistics today. That child dying in a camp could have had a future. I hope we can bring to the AUC a spirit of involvement and engagement with citizens so that we can leave a better Africa for them and future generations.
How would you evaluate the AU’s successes and shortcomings as it celebrates its 20th anniversary and what actions would you take to address shortfalls?
There is not much to celebrate on peace and security, continental conflict, displaced persons or the situations in Horn of Africa and Sudan. Instead of celebrating, we should reflect deeply on what went wrong, why it went wrong and what we can do to set it right. Unfortunately, there is also a distance between the AUC and the Permanent Representatives Committee.
The AUC needs financial independence or it will continue to be subject to external influences
While in Addis, I spoke to many ambassadors and the lack of communication between the two entities was clear. Without communication and consultation, little can be achieved. I would involve all AU institutions in their roles ― they must work together, not be at odds.
Do you believe the AU reforms initiated in 2017 have improved AUC efficiency and accountability, and how would you ensure that they deliver lasting results?
Implementing standards will bring a major change. It is important that everyone understand that his or her actions will be governed by established norms and that there will be consequences for deviation. The AU is our organisation and we cannot continue claiming to seek African solutions to African problems if, when problems arise, we do not look to Addis but seek answers elsewhere. Let us make the AU relevant in the lives of both the people and the member states. The AUC needs funding to become autonomous because, without financial independence, it will continue to be subject to external influences.
How do you evaluate the current relationship between the AUC and the Permanent Representatives Committee or member states, and what measures would you take to strengthen collaboration?
Heads of state are crucial for the functioning of the AU and AUC. African heads of state are generally concerned about what happens at the AU and if a compelling case is presented to them about how the AUC must function, they will support it. Heads of state are conscious of the need to make the AUC the most important institution in Africa, an organisation on which people can call knowing that something will be done to resolve issues. There should be no disconnect between it and the heads of state. They must always be consulted, kept informed and given the support necessary for the AUC to perform its functions. If they feel excluded, they will not be as ready to support the agency.
Let us focus on what is happening on the ground beneath our feet rather than the paths others are treading
How do you see the AU’s role as a member of the multilateral G21 and what strategies would you propose to enhance Africa’s influence and leverage?
First, we must be honest. It is a good thing that we are now part of the G21 and have a voice, but that voice must resonate globally. It must be a voice that is effective after we have done everything possible to sort out our own problems. We cannot go to global forums and discuss Africa’s internal matter. If we achieve that, we can then engage as equals with other members.
Currently, we often blame others for our problems. We must take responsibility for what we have done and what we need to do. I also believe that the UN Security Council needs to be reformed to achieve justice for Africa. If we conquer our internal conflicts, silence the guns and address the groups that destabilise our countries, we will have a stronger voice. We must give hope to our youth, encourage them to stay in Africa and provide the opportunities they seek. We do not lack talent, plans or roadmaps, but we fall short in implementation. At the AUC, I would concentrate on correcting this and on giving hope. Let us work together as a team for Africa.
The tense relationship between the AU and regional economic communities has often hampered effective collaboration. How would you tackle this?
The AU is the apex body, but there must be a link between it and the regional communities. No institution should dominate. All should work together to achieve peace and stability and to combat terrorism and other scourges that make life difficult for Africans. Inadequate consultation between the AU and the communities must change. Funds from partners are channelled through the AUC, not directly to the communities, and the AUC decides how to distribute them. The $400 million AU Peace Fund remains underused. Let us put this money to work to settle conflicts and, if exhausted, explore other ways to restore the bottom line.
Another matter is sanctions, which are often imposed immediately after unconstitutional changes of government. Before resorting to sanctions, we should address the underlying issues through dialogue. Sanctions can invite non-African actors into the continent and threaten regional stability. We do not need mercenaries. We must choose dialogue and compromise, however difficult.
How can the African Continental Free Trade Area’s impact be enhanced?
We must prioritise connectivity and infrastructure, they are essential for the free trade area to realise its promise to benefit all Africans. Connectivity will enable the smooth flow of goods from one place to another without the obstacles currently faced. Let us focus on what is happening on the ground beneath our feet rather than the paths others are treading.
