African Union: Time for leaders to make their voices heard on self-reliance

By Dr Paul Kariuki

THE AFRICAN Union Commission (AUC) serves as the secretariat of the African Union (AU), established in 2001 to promote unity and cooperation among African states.

Headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the AUC is tasked with implementing policies aimed at enhancing development, peace, and security across the continent. However, while the AUC has made significant strides, the reliance on external funding has increasingly hindered its capacity to fulfil its mandate.

As Africa stands at a critical juncture, it is time for African nations to take charge of their destiny and finance their organization—ensuring that the AUC can effectively support the continent's development goals.

Over the past eight years, the AUC has confronted various challenges that have impeded its operational efficacy. Here are seven pressing issues:

Funding Constraints: The AUC has largely depended on donor funding, which can be unpredictable and often tied to external conditions or interests. This reliance compromises the commission's autonomy and impacts its long-term strategic planning.

Limited Financial Contributions from Member States: Many African countries fail to meet their financial obligations to the AUC, thereby undermining the commission's budget and projects.

Fragmented National Policies: Diverging national interests results in a lack of coherence among member state policies, making it difficult for the AUC to implement regional initiatives effectively.

Inefficient Resource Management: There have been instances of mismanagement and corruption within the commission, which further strains resources and erodes trust among member states.

Inadequate Capacity for Policy Implementation: The AUC often struggles with the bureaucratic demanding nature of policy implementation, leading to delays and inefficiencies.

Security Challenges: Ongoing conflicts and security threats in various regions create instability, hindering trade and development efforts supported by the AUC.

Youth and Gender Inequality: Addressing issues of youth unemployment and gender inequality has not been prioritized despite their critical importance for sustainable development.

A paradigm shift is essential to overcome these challenges and ensure the AUC's financial sustainability.

The AUC must develop a more robust financial structure, which includes diversifying revenue streams through innovative means, such as public-private partnerships, and establishing stronger financial management protocols. Additionally, enhancing member states’ financial contributions could facilitate greater autonomy and reduce dependency on foreign donors. 

Five essential roles that member states must undertake to promote the AUC's financial sustainability are as follows:

Timely Financial Contributions: Member states must prioritize timely and adequate financial contributions to the AUC, fulfilling their financial obligations as stipulated in the AU Charter. This commitment will enhance the commission's credibility and operational capacity.

Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms: Member states should enforce stringent accountability measures to ensure that funds allocated to the AUC are utilized efficiently and transparently. Establishing independent audits can bolster confidence in the commission's financial management.

Policy Alignment and Coordination: African nations should align national policies with regional goals to promote coherence and facilitate more effective implementation of AUC initiatives. This requires dedicated communication and collaboration among member states.

Championing Homegrown Initiatives: Member states can innovate financing solutions tailored to local contexts, such as creating a regional development fund or initiating crowdfunding campaigns aimed at specific projects that benefit the continent as a whole.

Promoting African Solutions to African Problems: Member states must prioritize homegrown strategies for economic development and peacebuilding. Emphasizing local talent and resources can spur sustainable development while boosting collective ownership of the AUC's agenda.

The time has come for Africa to take the reins of its destiny by investing in its future through the AUC. Every African nation has a role to play in ensuring the commission's financial sustainability, guaranteeing that the AUC can pursue its mission of continental development, peace, and unity. Member states must recognize that their commitments to the AUC are not mere obligations but investments in their own nations' futures. 

Now is the moment for African leaders to demonstrate their commitment to self-reliance and cooperation by establishing a robust financial framework for the AUC.

By prioritizing timely financing, promoting accountability, and championing innovative local solutions, Africa can collectively pave a path toward sustainable development.

Let us embrace this opportunity and act decisively to secure a prosperous future for all Africans—a future that is owned and financed by Africans. Together, let us finance the AUC and reclaim our destinies as a united continent.

* Dr Paul Kariuki is the executive director of the Democracy Development Program (DDP) and writes in his personal capacity.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the DFA.