The Challenges And Prospects In Implementing The Adedeji, 2007 And Kagame, 2017 Reports On African Union Reforms

ABSTRACT

The African Union (AU) emanated from the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which had been in existence for almost four decades as the organ responsible for the attainment of the continent’s economic, political and social development. To achieve this vision, African states realized that a stronger institutional framework was needed to negotiate competitively on their behalf within the international context. The creation of the AU was a result of a compromise between three factions led by the Presidents of Nigeria, South Africa and Libya at the time, the outcome on how the AU was created never satisfied the parties and as such, they sought to reform the AU. To date the Organization has attempted to reform on three separate occasions with the first instance happening right after it had emerged in 2002, the second being the Adedeji reform in 2007 and lastly the most recent Kagame Reforms of 2017. This desire and intent to make the AU an efficient and effective organization has previously not translated into any fundamental and structural change in the institution and subsequently the continent. The study reflects on the circumstances surrounding the reform packages undertaken so far and assesses the challenges and prospects in implementing the reforms. The study revealed that the implementation of the reforms is indispensable for the realization of continents Agenda 2063. To ensure that the reforms are implemented, the study recommends that the AU Assembly takes ownership of its role as the leadership and final decision-making body of the organization in enforcing decisions.  The study revealed that the lack of political support from African Heads of State undermines the current reform process.