Paul Kagame takes over as AU chairman from Condé

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is the chairman of the African Union effective January 1, 2018. Photo credit/ The East African

Paul Kagame takes over as AU chairman from Condé

President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, has taken over the Chairmanship position of the African Union, effective from January 1st, 2018.

Kagame succeeds President of Guinea, Alpha Condé following election held in July 2017.

Kagame will face some tasking jobs including institutional reforms within the AU and the AU Commission to make it financially self-sustaining.  Observers say other challenges include peace and security on the continent, political instability and faltering regional integration within different blocs.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo said reforms within the AU are progressing well with more than 20 countries already implementing national policies to raise revenue to go towards the AU.

The East African reports that while addressing the 2nd Africa Business Forum in Sham el Sheikh last month, President Kagame said the reforms were well on course.

“The institutional reform of the African Union that is currently underway, with strong support from African leaders, is essential to getting these agreements fully operational so that our citizens can enjoy the benefits,” he said in reference to deals signed to grow the private sector and doing business on the continent.

He added that African countries need to make it easier to do business within and amongst themselves.

“Our continent has to catch up fast and compete globally. We can’t afford to waste opportunities because of unnecessary red tape and the associated delays. We should make it easier to do business with each other in Africa and integrate our markets to make them more attractive for investment,” he said.

However, regional blocs on the continent are currently going through integration challenges.

“There are issues within the EAC. Countries are not at par. There are issues between Uganda and Rwanda, Burundi and Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya. The same can be said of SADC, which right now is not united due to political challenges,” a scholar at the University of Rwanda said.