Ruto Calls for Bigger AU Peace Fund to Tackle Africa’s Security Gaps

President William Ruto has pushed for an ambitious reform agenda for the African Union (AU), proposing a boost to the continental Peace Fund from $400 million to $1 billion.

According to President Ruto, this will strengthen preventive diplomacy and mediation, closing the early warning and response gaps, reinforcing norms against unconstitutional changes of government, and revitalising Pan-African solidarity.

Ruto said he presented the Report of the African Union Institutional Reforms, outlining practical measures to make the AU more efficient and responsive to emerging challenges 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.

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“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,” President Ruto wrote on his X account.

According to Ruto, this report proposes scaling up the Peace Fund of approximately Ksh 128.8 billion to bolster peace support operations, preventive diplomacy, and mediation efforts across the continent.

“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,” President Ruto stated.

Additionally, it aims to bridge the gaps in early warning and response by utilizing cutting-edge technologies to identify and neutralize threats before they become more serious.

Accountability and Rule of Law

In order to improve accountability and the rule of law throughout the continent, Ruto also suggested operationalizing the African Court of Justice.

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In order to accelerate the ratification of the Malabo Protocol, which seeks to enlarge the African Court’s jurisdiction and revitalize the Pan-African Parliament, he also called for increased awareness-raising.

“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,” Ruto said.

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President William Ruto during the launch of Safaricom Ziidi Trader at Nairobi Securities Exchange, Westlands. PHOTO/PCS.