African leaders meet for ‘last push’ on AU reforms

– It’s personal –

Jobson said Cairo’s reservations about the reforms are personal.

Egypt spent about a year suspended from the AU after the 2013 coup that brought to power President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is to succeed Kagame as AU chairperson.

“There’s a general sense that this decision was more driven by the commission than it was by member states. This is an additional incentive for Egypt to see the power of the commission reduced,” Jobson said.

A diplomat who works with the AU said Egypt has publicly backed the reforms but likely would concentrate on different aspects than Kagame, such as security and post-conflict reconstruction.

“No one’s particularly hopeful that the summit is going to resolve anything, but you might see a few decisions,” the diplomat said.