Mr.
Chairperson,
All
Protocols duly observed.
I
take this opportunity to thank His Excellency President Paul Kagame for his
inspiring leadership and I congratulate him and the members of his Pan-African
Advisory Team for the quality and excellent work they are performing in our
Reform Process. I also thank the Presidents of Guinea and Chad and the
Chairperson of the African Union Commission for their support of the reform
process.
Mr.
Chairperson,
The
AU Reform process is compelled by the need to change the norm in which our
Continental organization is being governed.
Through our Agenda 2063, we have summed up a vision for our Continent, a
vision that is based on a peaceful, unified and prosperous Africa. As a consequence, we should work together to
achieve our noble goals for ourselves, and generations to come.
The
current challenges faced by our Continental organization require realistic and
inclusive political leadership. We need to address the factors preventing us to
effectively operate as a Union through the reform processes.
Mr.
Chairperson,
The
Consultative Meetings that were held in Kigali and Addis Ababa strengthened our
confidence in the reform process. We
are hopeful that the consultations between the Members of the Pan-African
Advisory Team, Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), African Union
Commission (AUC) and our Ministers will continue to address the technical,
legal and financial imperatives of the reform process.
Mr.
Chairperson,
The
importance of our agreed financing mechanism could not be over-emphasized. It
is only prudent that while we work on our existing financial sources that we
also embrace new financing mechanism.
The
agreed 0.2% levy on eligible imports is a proposition for an independent and
self-reliant Africa and we need to make it a reality.
We
commend the great work being done by the Group of Ten Finance Ministers and
they are urged to expedite the process of developing the governance structures
for the funds to be generated. Our commitment towards the financing mechanism
will be further enhanced if we are given clear assurances that the funds to be
generated will be properly managed and utilized.
In
the same vein, we commend Dr. Donald Kaberuka, AU High Representative for Peace
Fund for all the governance mechanisms that have been developed for the Fund.
It is vital that the implementation of the governance mechanisms is inclusive.
Mr.
Chairperson,
In
view of our decision on the format of our June/July Summits and the
collaboration between our Union and the Regional Economic Communities, it is
necessary that the latter are brought in the reform process. The proposed
Consultative Forum that has been proposed needs to be convened as soon as
possible.
We
recognize the link between the levels of political participation and the
successful implementation of the decisions we take. The decision for Member States to be
represented at levels not below the ranks of a Prime Minister or Vice President
in our High Level Meetings is acknowledged. However, it should be appreciated
that our Foreign Ministers or Senior Members of our governments have the
authority to fully represent us when designated to do so. As such, we urge the Reform Team to be aware
of this fact.
Mr.
Chairperson,
It
is crucial that the administrative and governance structures of our continental
organization are reviewed. We thank the AU Commission for its planned
institutional audit exercise. Ultimately, it will reduce the administrative
challenges of our organization. We must have the ability to bring our vision to
reality. However, for this to be ultimately realized, the AU Commission
Institutional Audit Team and the AU Reform Team should work together.
Also,
we support the need to improve the perception towards our meetings. They need
to be seen as platforms where issues that have impacts on the lives of our
citizens are discussed and decisions with far-reaching implications are made.
Our
citizens, especially our youths are important facilitators to this change.
Their thinking could yield enriching ideas for the reform process. The
discourse being undertaken on the reform process should not be confined solely
to the AU. There needs to be a proactive engagement with our youths to seek
their input.
On that note I would like to thank you all.
