Kenyan President William Ruto, who also serves as the African Union (AU) Champion of Institutional Reforms, has sounded the alarm on Africa’s escalating security challenges. Apexnewsgh reports
Speaking at the AU Retreat on Institutional Reforms, President Ruto revealed that the continent spends a staggering $18 billion annually to combat security threats and ongoing conflicts.
The numbers are daunting: between April and June 2024, Africa witnessed 1,000 terrorism-related incidents, resulting in 4,818 deaths. This surge in violence has led to a deepening humanitarian crisis, with conflict, terrorism, and political instability disrupting communities and livelihoods. The statistics are heartbreaking: 35 million internally displaced persons, 8.9 million refugees, 1.1 million asylum seekers, and a million stateless people call Africa home.
President Ruto emphasized that the African Union, in its current form, is ill-equipped to address these complex security dynamics. He stressed the urgent need for immediate reforms, calling for proactive measures to tackle the root causes of insecurity. The President’s message was clear: conflict continues to deprive Africa of its full potential, and it’s time for collective action.
Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, echoed President Ruto’s concerns, highlighting the AU’s reliance on external funding. This dependence, President Mahama argued, undermines the organization’s ability to set its own agenda and drive the continent’s development priorities independently.
As Africa grapples with these pressing security challenges, it’s clear that a new approach is needed. The AU must reform and strengthen its institutions to effectively address the complex security dynamics threatening the continent.
He believes by working together and prioritizing African solutions to African problems, the continent can overcome its current challenges and unlock its full potential.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
