By Abiola Olawale
The African Union (AU) has taken a bold step towards strengthening its governance, peace, and security frameworks following the conclusion of a high-level review meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 1-5, 2025.
The panel was chaired by former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and included eminent Scholar-Diplomat and former Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, Mahamat Saleh Annadif of Chad, Uganda’s Sam Kutesa, and Egypt’s Amr Moussa, former Egypt’s foreign minister and erstwhile Secretary-General of the Arab League.
They were accompanied by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Dr. Bankole Adeoye, the Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Dr. Korir Sing’oei, and the National Security Adviser, Dr. Monica Juma.
The event brought together prominent African leaders, including Kenyan President William Ruto, to address pressing challenges bordering on governance, peace, and security and chart a path for a more resilient Africa.
In speciic terms, The New Diplomat reports that the High-Level Panel of eminent experts, established under the AU’s institutional reform agenda, convened to assess the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA), respectively.
The panel, mandated by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2025, focused on enhancing institutional coherence, tackling emerging threats, and aligning with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the AU’s long-term development blueprint.
Gambari, erstwhile United Nations Under-Secretary-General (Political Affairs) and former Chief of Staff to the late President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, emphasized the importance of African-led solutions. He stated: “This appointment is a call to service. Africa must double its efforts to address challenges through strategic, home-grown approaches.”
President Ruto, the AU Champion for Institutional Reforms, underscored Kenya’s commitment to consolidating APSA as the foundation of continental stability and integration. He called for strengthening Africa’s collective security response to ensure the frameworks remain credible, effective, and responsive to emerging threats.
