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INTERVENTION BY H.E. ADAMA BARROW
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA
DURING THE PLENARY DEBATE ON THE REPORT PRESENTED BY
PAUL KAGAME, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA & LEADER OF AU INSTITUTIONAL REFORM ON THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISION ASSEMBLY/AU/DEC.635 (XXVIII)
DURING THE 31ST ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF HEADS OF STATE & GOVERNMENT OF THE AU
HELD IN NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA
FROM 1ST TO 2ND JULY, 2018

Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our organization is at an important and crucial crossroads, and we have no alternative but to carry out fundamental restructuring in order to create a functional, effective and financially self-reliant Union. Our decision to reform the Union continues to be anchored to the quest to give the future generations a progressive continent that remains richly blessed with abundant opportunities. They should have the options to live very successful lives and take their rightful place on the world stage in terms of access to education, health and other indicators of human development and progress.

Mr. Chairperson,
The Joint Inaugural Budget Meeting held during this Summit is an important step forward in ensuring inconclusiveness and coherence in the management of our Union’s budgetary processes, and should be seen as a key element in the reform process. It is believed that the Permanent Representatives’ Committee and the Commission should continue playing their complementary roles for the full implementation of the Union’s improved financial governance processes.

The efficient management of the Union’s resources includes holding the policy organs accountable for the proper disbursement and utilisation of the operational funds.

Mr. Chairperson,
The Commission, together with the relevant Policy Organs, should ensure that all of our decisions are fully implemented using the right approaches and mechanisms. The Reform Unit in the Office of the Chairperson of the Commission needs to be staffed by the best talents from our Continent and the Diaspora, and the Unit requires adequate resources to perform its functions in a meaningful manner.

Mr. Chairperson,
The creativity and energy of our demographic dividend need to be leveraged. Therefore, a well-articulated communication strategy is necessary to ensure full ownership and involvement of our citizens, for they are perceived as the ultimate beneficiaries of the Process.

I must seize this opportunity to commend you, Mr. Chairperson, as the leader of this transformative process, for your diligence, determination and visionary guidance in leading the reform process and for the able manner in which you have been conducting the affairs of the sessions.

In like manner, I thank the Government and people of Mauritania for the warm hospitality accorded to me and my delegation since our arrival in Nouakchott.

I thank you all for your attention.