Why Ruto Wants Haiti to Be Part of Africa

President William Ruto has called on the African Union (AU) Assembly to adopt a Draft Declaration on AU Solidarity with Haiti.

According to Ruto, the AU should reinforce the Caribbean nation’s status as part of Africa’s Sixth Region and as a way of showing support for its security mission.

Further, speaking during the 38th Ordinary Assembly of the AU on Sunday, February 16, Ruto noted that Haiti is a country with deep historical ties to the continent, and therefore deserving of the move. 

Africa is home to 1.369 billion people and is divided into five subregions by the United Nations. These include Northern Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa.

Northern Africa is the largest by land area but has only five countries, while Southern Africa is the smallest and least populated, with six nations. East Africa is the most populous, comprising 18 countries, followed by West Africa with 16 and Central Africa with 9.

At the same time, Ruto is advocating for the MSS to transition into a full UN Peacekeeping Operation.

This would mean that the operation would receive even more international funding to sustain the stability efforts. Additionally, more troops and logistical support would be given to the peacekeeping efforts.

Also Read: US Retracts Trump’s Order to Freeze Haiti Funding

Ruto Submits 8 New Proposals for AU Reforms

On the other hand, as the Champion for AU Institutional Reform, Ruto has presented an eight-point proposal aimed at accelerating institutional reforms within the African Union (AU).

Ruto presented the proposals during the 38th Ordinary Assembly of the AU, emphasizing the need for governance transformation, and peace and security reforms.

He also called for financial independence, and legislative empowerment to enhance the AU’s effectiveness and self-sustainability.

To maintain reform momentum, the president proposed the creation of a five-member Ad Hoc Committee of heads of state and government, which he would lead as the Champion for AU Institutional Reform. This committee would ensure strategic guidance, oversight, and collective ownership of the reform process.

Additionally, the head of state recommended that the AU hold an Extraordinary Summit in July 2025, dedicated to finalizing reform discussions. He explained that it would allow newly elected AU Commission (AUC) members and stakeholders to submit concrete proposals for the final phase of reforms.

The African Court of Justice has remained non-operational since 2009 due to prolonged discussions on merging it with the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. President Ruto urged the AU to finalize budgetary provisions and hold judicial elections in July 2025 to ensure the court’s long-overdue implementation.

Also Read: Raila Breaks Silence After AUC Loss

Additional Reforms Suggested

At the same time, he called on AU member states to accelerate the ratification of the Malabo Protocol, which would transform the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) into a legislative body.

Currently, only 15 out of 55 AU member states have ratified the protocol, limiting PAP’s ability to function as a true legislative force.

Furthermore, despite a 2018 AU Assembly decision calling for a structured categorization of AU decisions, Ruto noted that progress has stalled. Therefore, he proposed that the AUC and the Office of the Legal Counsel complete the process without further delay to improve implementation, accountability, and enforcement.

Highlighting the continent’s ongoing security crises, he addressed the need to revamp the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) to better respond to threats such as terrorism and armed conflicts. He called for the appointment of five eminent African experts within four months to assess and improve the AU’s security framework.

Also, he recommended delegating non-strategic matters to the Executive Council and reviewing the format of AU Summits at an Extraordinary Summit in October 2025.

Ruto proposed that the Executive Council convene an Extraordinary Session with Finance Ministers to develop a five-year roadmap for achieving these commitments. He further suggested that Dr. Donald Kaberuka, the AU High Representative for Financing the Union, prepare a concept note and discussion paper to guide the discussions.

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