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This article has been updated to reflect recent appointments by the African Union.
The recently concluded 34th African Union (AU) Summit had particularly important work to do. He selected six members of the AU Secretariat, a key cog in the organization. The AU Commission collaborates with the various organs of the union to promote and further its objectives. It reports to the Executive Council, which formulates policy and oversees the implementation of the decisions of the Council of Heads of State.
The selection of six commissioners suggested two things about the union. The first is how serious the AU is about setting up a strong team to drive institutional reform. The second is the strength of its commitment to achieving gender equality.
As part of the appointment process, the AU also decided on the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair. The incumbent chairman, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, was the only candidate and was re-elected. The deputy position, which is an important role as she is effectively the chief operating officer of the commission, was held by Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa from Rwanda.
The appointment attracted attention because of African leaders’ commitment to promoting gender equality and equality. The fact that a woman was chosen was seen as a positive development.
The Vice-Chairman is responsible for implementing and managing the organization’s reforms. This is a large and ongoing project. The current AU reform journey began in July 2016 when parliament appointed Rwandan President Paul Kagame to study its institutional reforms. The assessment by Kagame’s committee was clear. The union was not fit for purpose.
A number of reforms were approved and significant progress was made in implementing these reforms, particularly administrative reforms. However, much work remains to be done to overcome the dysfunctions identified in the Kagame-led review.
The new commission will need the political skill, capacity and experience to manage a complex reform process. Because reform is a continuous process. The new commission will therefore need to continue working to ensure that the main objectives of the reforms are achieved.
Side job
The Vice-Chairman is the Chief Operating Officer of the Commission. They are responsible for the financial and administrative management of the Commission. Therefore, the Vice-Chairman must have both substantial technical knowledge and political acumen.
Extensive knowledge and experience in organizational management, financial management and a clear understanding of the need for gender equality are also important.
Nsanzabaganwa, the first woman elected to the position, currently serves as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Rwanda.
She will need to develop her knowledge and understanding of multilateral organizations. She needs to build vast networks on the continent and internationally that she can leverage to build consensus and gain influence, especially in advancing her reform agenda.
Mr Nsanzabaganwa will continue his ongoing work to address the challenges identified in the report on proposed recommendations for institutional reform. These challenges include poor leadership of committee members, accountability, inadequate supervision of committee staff, and coordination of committee activities.
The report also found insufficient oversight and coordination, and weak staff recruitment and performance management systems. Although considerable progress has been made with respect to these fixes, gaps still remain.
One of the big gaps has to do with creating a safe working environment for women. The commission has been dogged by accusations of sexism and gender-based discrimination. Ms Nsanzabaganwa will be responsible for driving changes that create a safe environment for women and ensuring that the commission adheres to gender policies.
financial independence
The pursuit of financial autonomy in the management of union affairs is gaining momentum on the continent. The AU has made significant progress on this front, minimizing over-reliance on external partners.
However, to maintain its interests, the Commission must have a strategy to effectively engage with member states and encourage them to pay their AU dues on time. Most of the progress in terms of financial autonomy has been in the generation of own resources for the management of the AU’s operations. Financing peace operations remains an issue. The main obstacle here is the agreement between the AU and the UN.
To resolve this impasse, Nsanzabaganwa must develop a deep understanding and knowledge of the United Nations’ financial and budgetary systems. This is important to ensure that Africa is allocated adequate resources to maintain peace and security.
Finally, as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Nsanzabaganwa will need to work closely with Member States and Commission staff.
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