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 a 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.

Conference Highlights

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.

Implications of Ruto’s Challenge

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. The message from Diani is clear: Africa cannot afford to face the future with institutions designed for the challenges of the past.

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