Uganda’s Sam Kutesa appointed to AU high-level panel of eminent experts

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Former foreign affairs minister Sam Kahamba Kutesa has been appointed to the African Union’s High-Level Panel of Eminent Experts, becoming the first Ugandan to serve on the body under the AU’s new leadership.

The panel, inaugurated earlier this month in Nairobi, Kenya, is tasked with reviewing the African Union’s governance, peace, and security frameworks in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the AU’s 50-year blueprint for inclusive growth, peace, and global influence.

Kutesa joins four other eminent figures from across the continent: Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Southern Africa), Professor Ibrahim Gambari (West Africa), Mahamat Saleh Annadif (Central Africa), and Amr Moussa (North Africa).

The group was appointed by AU Commission chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in collaboration with the AU Champion for Institutional Reforms, Kenyan President William Ruto.

Speaking to the media on September 14, 2025, Kutesa said his selection was recognition of Uganda’s long-standing contribution to peace and security in Africa, as well as his personal experience in diplomacy, including his tenure as president of the United Nations General Assembly.

“Uganda has played a leading role in the peace and security architecture of Africa, both in its formulation and implementation,” he said.

“I bring to the table wide experience, including my service at the UN.”

He, however, acknowledged that the assignment will not be without challenges.

“We will at times have to criticise our own heads of state and institutions. There has been a decline in the Pan-African spirit that guided the creation of these instruments. Some reorientation, both ideological and structural, is necessary,” he noted.

The panel’s first five-day review session took place in Nairobi from September 1-5, 2025, supported by a multi-stakeholder reference group and technical experts.

Discussions focused on the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), while also addressing cross-cutting issues such as climate security and the inclusion of youth, women, and children in governance.

Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, described the review as “a historic opportunity to reposition Africa’s governance and peace and security frameworks with African-driven solutions that deliver tangible peace dividends.”

The review concluded that while Africa’s frameworks remain relevant, their effectiveness is undermined by limited political will, weak prioritisation, resource constraints, and shifting global dynamics.

The panel’s recommendations aim to strengthen institutional coherence, improve implementation, and enhance Africa’s capacity to respond to emerging challenges. The outcomes will be presented to the AU Champion for Institutional Reforms through the AU Commission Chairperson.

Despite the optimism surrounding the appointments, some critics voiced scepticism.

They argued that Kutesa’s selection reflects the AU’s overreliance on veteran leaders rather than new voices.

“What new ideas will this man bring?” one critic asked, insisting that the Union needs “fresh minds, a new breed of leaders whose aspirations align with the realities of today’s and future generations.”

Kutesa is expected to join his colleagues in Nairobi for subsequent review sessions, where the panel’s findings and recommendations will shape the AU’s governance and security agenda under Agenda 2063.