A new chapter in continental leadership began on Saturday as President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi assumed the Chairmanship of the African Union (AU) for 2026.
The transition took place during the high-stakes opening of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, joined approximately 49 other heads of state and global dignitaries.
They include UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to witness the handover from the outgoing Chairman, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola.
Under the banner, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” the summit shifted focus toward foundational survival and economic growth.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali set the tone in his welcome address, urging African leaders to remain unanimous in their resolve.
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He highlighted Ethiopia’s success in “smart agriculture” and climate-friendly energy as a blueprint for supporting the continent’s booming population.
In a personal address, Guterres described the partnership between the UN and the AU as being at an all-time high.
He praised the “unwavering, decisive support” of the African Group at the UN and pledged that the global body would continue to prioritise Africa’s peace and security.
“From day one of my mandate, we forged a UN partnership with the African Union rooted in respect, constant dialogue, and unwavering solidarity,” Guterres stated.
Lourenço used his valedictory speech to present a scorecard of his tenure, emphasising progress in infrastructure and resource mobilisation.
However, he left the assembly with a stern warning: the AU must strengthen its internal mechanisms for conflict resolution to protect emerging economies.
Lourenço highlighted key stewardship priorities for the continent.
He identified resource mobilisation as crucial for financing critical development projects, security as essential for improving peace in conflict zones, and human capital as a driver of inclusive growth through investment in Africa’s people.
The summit also confirmed the full leadership bureau that will support President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s tenure in 2026.
The bureau includes a Chairperson from Burundi representing Central Africa, First Vice-Chair from Ghana for West Africa, Second Vice-Chair from Tanzania for East Africa, a Third Vice-Chair yet to be confirmed for North Africa, and a Rapporteur from Angola representing Southern Africa.
Following the ceremonial handover and a traditional group photo of the heads of state, the leaders held a closed-door session to review sensitive security reports and discuss the implementation of the “Africa Water Vision 2026.”
