AU Executive Council pushes integration, self-funding as Murwira cites budget gap

AU Executive Council pushes integration, self-funding as Murwira cites budget gap

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The 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council has ended in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with ministers urging deeper continental integration, stronger African Union institutions and faster implementation of Agenda 2063.

The two-day meeting brought together Ministers of Foreign Affairs and other designated ministers, focusing on the AU’s long-term development blueprint and how to improve the bloc’s capacity to deliver programmes across member states.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, told journalists that ministers assessed progress towards Agenda 2063 while also discussing water as a strategic driver of development and regional integration.

Murwira said financing remains central to the AU’s strategic autonomy, noting that development partners still fund the bulk of the organisation’s budget.

“Africa’s attainment of strategic autonomy and sovereignty depends on its ability to fund its own programmes. We deliberated extensively on financing because currently between 75 and 80 percent of the African Union budget is financed by development partners.

“Member States are now demonstrating a greater willingness to increase their contributions, and Zimbabwe has also moved from Tier Three to Tier Two, strengthening the Union’s financial sustainability,” Murwira said.

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He added that although the AU has approved a budget of about US$800 million, ministers acknowledged additional resources would be needed to implement planned development and integration programmes.

The Executive Council also reviewed Africa’s representation in international organisations through the Committee on African Candidatures, endorsing African nominees for key global positions.

Among those backed was Zimbabwe’s Dr Cosmas Zavazava, who received AU endorsement for a second term at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The bloc also endorsed Ms Idir for a senior role within the United Nations international public service.

“When Africa speaks with one voice on international candidatures, it strengthens the continent’s influence globally. Zimbabwe remains committed to supporting both Zimbabwean and African candidates so that Africa’s voice is heard in international decision-making,” Murwira said.

The Executive Council further congratulated Zimbabwe on its election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, after the country secured 182 votes in elections held on 3 June this year.

Resolutions from the meeting will be submitted to the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Summit, where heads of state and government are expected to consider measures to accelerate Agenda 2063 implementation and deepen continental integration.

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