The third edition of the Mashariki Cooperation Conference (MCC) concluded on Sunday in the coastal town of Diani, Kwale County, with a stark call for fundamental change across the African continent.
Hosted by Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) and led by
Director General Noordin Haji, the five-day conference (8th-12th April) brought
together intelligence and security leaders from across Africa, alongside
delegates from almost 100 nations, to discuss “Intelligence for Peace” – with a
particular emphasis on utilising emerging technologies like artificial
intelligence to bolster regional stability.
However, it was Kenyan President William Ruto’s closing address that
dominated headlines. In unusually forthright terms, he declared the African
Union (AU) in its current state “not fit for purpose,” arguing it lacks the
capacity to provide the leadership Africa requires in the face of burgeoning
populations, increasingly complex security threats, shifting geopolitical
dynamics, and ambitious economic goals.
“I can tell you without an iota of doubt that the African Union as it is
today is not fit to provide the leadership this continent needs going forward,”
President Ruto stated. “Therefore, reform of the African Union is essential.”
The President revealed he has been tasked by fellow African heads of
state to spearhead this reform process, with a mandate to review and
restructure the AU’s institutions to ensure they are more efficient,
accountable, and responsive to modern challenges.
He specifically urged the intelligence community present at the
conference to play a pivotal role in shaping this new framework, stressing that
robust security architecture is paramount to any meaningful continental
progress.
Mr Ruto’s comments follow ongoing discussions regarding AU institutional
reform, in which he has previously acted as Champion. He has already presented
progress reports in early 2025 and February 2026, focusing on streamlining AU
organs, improving collaboration between the AU, Regional Economic Communities
(RECs), and member states, and strengthening peace and security
mechanisms.
This latest intervention signals a desire to accelerate these efforts,
fuelled by concerns over the AU’s ability to effectively address issues such as
coups, terrorism, climate-related conflicts, and harnessing the potential of
Africa’s rapidly growing youth population – projected to comprise around a
quarter of the global total in the coming decades.
The Mashariki Conference has established itself as a key forum for
intelligence-led dialogue in Africa. This year’s event featured strategic
discussions on leveraging AI for resilient and inclusive security solutions,
lessons learned from past intelligence failures – including a reference to the
Rwandan genocide – and the need for greater synergy between regional and
continental mechanisms.
Notable attendees included former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo
and senior officials from East African nations, highlighting Kenya’s growing
influence as a thought leader in continental security cooperation.
Delegates praised the conference’s organisation and its focus on
fostering trust and collaborative frameworks. The leadership of NIS Director
General Noordin Haji and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was credited
with successfully blending technical intelligence sharing with high-level
policy discussions.
President Ruto’s blunt assessment has already ignited debate across the
continent. While supporters see it as a necessary wake-up call for an AU often
criticised for bureaucratic inefficiencies and slow decision-making, others may
express concerns about the political sensitivities surrounding the reform of a
body that represents African unity and sovereignty.
By directly linking AU reform to intelligence and security cooperation –
the central theme of the Mashariki Conference – Mr Ruto appears to be
advocating for a more agile, intelligence-informed continental structure
capable of preventative action, rapid response, and technological innovation.
As Africa navigates an increasingly turbulent global landscape, the
President’s assignment could mark the beginning of a significant push towards
an “AU 2.0” – one better equipped to capitalise on the demographic dividend,
drive economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area
(AfCFTA), and ensure collective security.
The full outcomes of the Mashariki Conference, including recommendations
on intelligence partnerships and AI applications, are expected to be shared
with relevant AU bodies in the coming months.
Observers will be closely monitoring how President Ruto translates his
mandate into concrete proposals, particularly as the AU prepares for future
summits and a potential special session dedicated to reforms.
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