The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) concluded in Addis Ababa with the election of President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi as Chairperson of the Union for 2026. Leaders also reaffirmed a strong continental commitment to advancing water security and safe sanitation in line with Agenda 2063.
Held under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” the two-day summit brought together African leaders to address pressing governance, peace, and development priorities amid growing global uncertainty and regional instability.
AU Commission Chair Calls for Reform and Financial Self-Reliance
Addressing the Assembly, AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf situated the summit within a context of geopolitical turbulence, persistent conflicts, institutional fragility, and unconstitutional changes of government in parts of the continent.
He stressed that water security is not only a development necessity but also a foundation for peace and stability. Against a backdrop of weakening multilateralism and rising global polarization, he urged Member States to accelerate political and economic integration under Agenda 2063.
Chairperson Youssouf highlighted the urgency of institutional reform and financial self-reliance, citing declining external funding. He called for stronger domestic resource mobilization and faster implementation of flagship continental programmes, including industrialization, agricultural transformation, energy development, and infrastructure expansion.
He also acknowledged rising expectations among Africa’s youth, women, and civil society, emphasizing that this decade of Agenda 2063 must deliver measurable performance and tangible results.
The AUC Chair expressed solidarity with populations affected by conflict in Sudan, the Sahel, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia, and reiterated the importance of respect for international humanitarian law. He also reaffirmed Africa’s support for the Palestinian people and its commitment to international law and global peace.
Angola’s President Reflects on AU Chairmanship
H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and outgoing Chairperson of the AU, officially opened the summit with a call for accelerated action to ensure sustainable water access and sanitation.
Describing water security as a political, moral, and strategic priority, President Lourenço linked access to water with development, public health, food security, and stability.
Reflecting on Angola’s tenure, he highlighted progress in advancing Agenda 2063, mobilizing infrastructure investment, strengthening continental integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and improving institutional efficiency within the AU.
On peace and security, he reiterated that Africa’s development depends on “silencing the guns,” addressing conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and combating terrorism in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. He reaffirmed the AU’s rejection of unconstitutional changes of government and warned against legitimizing coups through subsequent elections.
Global Engagement and Multilateral Reform
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged African leaders to move from reacting to global developments to actively shaping the international agenda. As the AU approaches its 25th anniversary, he called for unity, confidence, and stronger continental influence, highlighting Ethiopia’s investment in artificial intelligence and plans for an AI university.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the African Union. He reiterated support for reform of the UN Security Council to enhance African representation and called for improved access to financing to support Africa’s development and industrialization goals.
Burundi Assumes AU Chairmanship for 2026
President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi formally assumed the rotating Chairmanship of the African Union for 2026, succeeding President Lourenço.
The Bureau of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government for 2026 was confirmed as follows:
1. Chairperson – Republic of Burundi (Central Region)
2. First Vice Chair – Ghana (West)
3. Second Vice Chair – Tanzania (East)
4. Third Vice Chair – North Africa (to be confirmed)
5. Rapporteur – Angola (Southern Region)
Peace and Security: Zero Tolerance for Unconstitutional Changes
The Assembly took note of the report of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on the state of peace and security in Africa, expressing deep concern over ongoing conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, and humanitarian crises.
Leaders reaffirmed the Union’s zero-tolerance policy toward unconstitutional changes of government and reiterated their determination to “silence the guns” across the continent. They underscored the need for predictable, sustainable, and flexible financing for AU-led peace support operations.
The Assembly adopted a Memorandum of Understanding between the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) on the utilization of the African Standby Force, calling for stronger coordination and improved operational readiness.
Institutional Reform and Governance
The Assembly considered the report on AU institutional reforms and reaffirmed its commitment to building a people-centered, efficient, accountable, and financially sustainable Union.
It took note of the Annual Report of the Chairperson of the Commission and adopted reports from several Assembly Committees, including those relating to Africa CDC, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), AUDA-NEPAD, the Committee of Ten (C-10) on UN Security Council Reform, the AfCFTA, and the High-Level Committee on Libya.
Leaders reaffirmed Africa’s Common Position on reform of the UN Security Council and reiterated their demand for equitable African representation in global governance institutions.
Africa and the G20
The Assembly welcomed a briefing on the outcome of the G20 Leaders’ Summit held in Johannesburg in November 2025 and took note of the report on AU participation in the G20.
Leaders stressed the importance of coordinated African positions to advance priorities such as sustainable development financing, debt restructuring, climate action, food security, and digital transformation, reinforcing Africa’s collective voice in global economic governance.
Development and Agenda 2063
Reaffirming Agenda 2063 as Africa’s strategic framework, the Assembly welcomed progress under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and emphasized the urgency of transforming African food systems and building resilience to climate shocks.
Leaders also commended progress in implementing the AfCFTA and called on Member States to accelerate efforts to boost intra-African trade, industrialization, and value addition.
The Assembly further took note of initiatives to mobilize resources for infrastructure, energy, water and sanitation, and climate adaptation, while reaffirming the importance of youth and women empowerment, innovation, digitalization, and skills development.
Historical Justice and International Solidarity
The Assembly considered a study examining the classification of colonization as a crime against humanity and certain acts during slavery, deportation, and colonization as genocide against African peoples.
Leaders underscored the importance of historical justice, truth, remembrance, reparatory justice, and preserving the dignity of African peoples.
The Assembly also reviewed the Commission’s report on the situation in Palestine and reiterated the AU’s solidarity with the Palestinian people, supporting a just and lasting solution in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Adoption of Decisions and Appreciation
The Assembly adopted the Decisions, Declarations, and Resolutions of its Thirty-Ninth Ordinary Session.
Heads of State and Government expressed appreciation to President Lourenço for his leadership as AU Chair in 2025 and pledged full support to President Ndayishimiye for 2026. They also thanked the Government and people of Ethiopia for hosting the summit.
As the Union enters a new leadership cycle, the outcomes of the 39th Summit reflect a dual focus: strengthening peace and security while advancing water security, institutional reform, economic integration, and Africa’s influence in global governance.
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