Tinubu, Ruto call for financially autonomous AU, reject fresh scramble for Africa

African leaders, yesterday, gathered in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital for the African Union’s (AU) fifth mid-year coordination meeting, aimed among other things, to address critical issues of African integration and division of labour.

The meeting was led by Kenya’s President, William Ruto, who called for a reform of the AU focusing on the body’s financial autonomy.

“The pan-African movement has always been about sovereignty and agency. First and foremost, chronic dependence, even on well-meaning partners, is inconsistent with the aspiration of independence, sovereignty and agency. And I therefore believe that we must take seriously the recommendations that have been made towards making our organisation one that stands on its feet, and an organisation that is funded by us