*** As the African body prioritize water security at the 39th Summit in Addis Ababa.
His Excellency, the President of Burundi, Evariste Ndayimishiye has formally assumed the 2026 Chairmanship Position of African Union after being elected by his colleagues and took over the rotating leadership from Angola’s Joao Laurenco after the opening of the 39th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
His Excellency Joao Manuel Goncalves Laurenco, President of the Republic of Angola and outgone Chairman of African Union who officially opened the 39th African Union Summit called for accelerated action to ensure water availability and safe sanitation systems, inline with the 2026 AU theme, which described access to water as a political, moral, and strategic priority essential for Africa’s development, public health, food security and stability.
Reflecting on Angola’s year as Chair of the body, Laurenco highlighted progress in advancing Agenda 2063, mobilizing investment for Infrastructure, Strengthening Continental Integration through African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA), and promoting reforms to improve African Union efficiency and reduce bureaucracy.
On peace and security, President Laurenco stressed that Africa’s development depends on ( silencing the guns) and particularly addressing ongoing conflicts, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as combating terrorism in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. He affirms the African Union’s rejection of unconstitutional changes of of government and warned Africa to aligned with Agenda 2063.
Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed who spoke at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, emphasized that Africa should shift from reaching to global events to actively shaping the global agenda, especially as the African Union near its 25th anniversary. He called for unity, confidence and greater continent, influence in world affairs.
He highlighted that true sovereignty includes owning Africa’s narrative and technological future, noting Ethiopian’s establishment of an Artificial Intelligence ( AI) institute plans for AI University and concluded with a forward – looking vision aligned with Agenda 2063.
In his own speech, United Nations Secretary – General, Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, underscoring multilateral cooperation as essential for peace, security, and sustainable development. He highlighted Africa’s growing influence in global affairs, reaffirmed the need for United Nations Security Council reform ( including stronger African representation and emphasized support for Africa development goals, industrialisation, equitable access to financing. The remarks aligned with continental priorities and reinforced commitment to both organizations to work together on peace, resilience and prosperity for Africa and the world.
The composition of the new Bureau of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union for 2026 is as follows:
1. Chair of African Union ( AU) – The Republic of Burundi.
2. First Vice – Ghana, ( West );
3. Second Vice – Tanzania, ( East );
4. Third Vice – To be confirmed ( North Africa Region).
5. Rapporteur – Angola ( South).
The Summit continues with deliberations focused on the critical theme of water security, as well as peace and security issues across the continent.
