Outgoing AUC chair Moussa Faki offers personal scorecard, takes swipe at African leaders
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki, offered a personal reflection on Saturday on his eight-year reign at the helm of the continental organisation, saying the blame on shortcomings should be shared by all organs.
In his final speech at the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Assembly, Faki, said a “modest but brutal" assessment of his tenure would not be complete without the acceptance of responsibility by all.
The exiting Chairperson singled out African heads of state for their “unbearable divisions,” on who should represent the continent at various international forums, and regional economic blocs for “flagrant violations” of AU principles on democracy and good governance.
Faki was referring to the persistent scourge of military coups and the slow return to democratic rule by five countries in Africa.
Burkina Faso, Gabon, Mali, Niger and Sudan, were suspended from the AU because of the existence of military governments in power.
The AU banned military governments and has principles banning military personnel from assuming civilian roles after taking part in a military coup.
The norms require all military personnel to be answerable to civilian authorities.
The exiting Chairperson said decisions of the AU were “treated in a partisan manner" especially by various regional blocs.
However, Faki urged the continent's leaders to either abandon these various charters on democracy and good governance or revise them.
He said concerns also remained on the implementation of the decisions on the domestic financing of the organisation.
While Faki appeared impressed with the milestone reached in the creation of the African Peace Fund, which had netted US$400 million in contributions, the financing of healthcare in Africa remained a major challenge.
He said he was impressed with the work he accomplished through the institutional reform of the AU, the creation of Technical Committees for every sector and the reconfiguration of the leadership of the AUC.
-0- PANA AO/MA 15Feb2025
