AU resolutions need accountability, Seychelles' President says
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(Seychelles News Agency) - African leaders have to address the recommendations made in the report for Institutional Reforms of the African Union (AU) in order to measure the implementation rate and effectiveness of AU resolutions, said the Seychelles’ President Danny Faure.
Speaking at the Retreat of Heads of States and Government on Sunday before the opening of the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Faure said that the findings of the study was a wakeup call that challenges the continent's comfort zone.
“We cannot continue to adopt resolutions that to date total more than 1,500 without having any indication as to how much we have actually implemented,” Faure said.
The head of state of Seychelles, a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean, talked about the AU, whose budget remains, until 2016, heavily dependent on donor funding.
“The working methods, duplications of structures, payment of contributions, the need to focus on key priorities are all challenges raised in the report that as a body, we have to address with determination and purpose,” added Faure.
The retreat was chaired by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, who proposed the outlining of clear priorities in areas that affect the continent, such as in peace and security, integration and good governance. Kagame also called for a leaner organisation that was structured around the priorities of the AU.
The 28th summit of the Heads of State and Government of the AU officially opened on Monday with a strong call for unity to uphold the maintenance of peace and stability in the continent. This year’s theme is: “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in the Youth”.
The Seychelles’ President Faure, who is making his first appearance at an AU meeting as Head of State, pointed out the need for a new form of leadership.
“We need a transformational leadership as we cannot continue to dwell in the paradox of the past,” he said.
Faure drew attention to the need to look at the sequencing of the Report as a way to usher Africa to the level which he said will be the, “legacy that we bequeath to our children and children’s children.”
