President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious reform agenda for the African Union (AU), proposing a significant boost to the continental Peace Fund from $400 million to $1 billion, approximately Ksh128.8 billion, in a move aimed at strengthening Africa’s capacity to manage conflicts and enhance governance.

Taking to his official X account on Saturday, February 14, 2026, after a session of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Ruto said he had presented the Report of the African Union Institutional Reforms, outlining practical measures to make the AU more efficient and responsive to emerging challenges.

“We are advancing the reforms of the African Union to strengthen the continental institution and enhance its effectiveness in delivering on its mandate. Presented the Report of the African Union Institutional Reforms at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” Ruto stated.

Peace support operations

The report proposes scaling up the Peace Fund to Ksh128.8 billion to bolster peace support operations, preventive diplomacy, and mediation efforts across the continent.

It also seeks to close early warning and response gaps by leveraging emerging technologies to detect and address threats before they escalate.

“The report proposes practical measures to strengthen peace, security, and governance through preventive action, collaboration, and the use of emerging technologies,” Rutoi wrote on X.

“It further proposes scaling up the Peace Fund from $400 million to $1 billion, strengthening preventive diplomacy and mediation, closing the early warning and response gaps, reinforcing norms against unconstitutional changes of government, and revitalising Pan-African solidarity.”

Governance and stability

Beyond peace and security, the reforms emphasise reinforcing norms against unconstitutional changes of government, revitalising Pan-African solidarity, and improving collaboration among member states.

Ruto also proposed operationalising the African Court of Justice to strengthen accountability and the rule of law across the continent. Additionally, he called for intensified sensitisation to accelerate ratification of the Malabo Protocol, which aims to expand the African Court’s jurisdiction and reinvigorate the Pan-African Parliament.

“We also proposed the operationalisation of the African Court of Justice and intensified sensitisation to accelerate ratification of the Malabo Protocol to reinvigorate the Pan-African Parliament,” he stated.