African leaders concluded the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15, 2026. They focused on sustainable water security under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
Leadership Transition
Évariste Ndayishimiye, president of Burundi, assumed the role of chairperson of the African Union for 2026. He succeeded João Lourenço, president of Angola. Ndayishimiye expressed honor in leading the union and vowed to prioritize unity.
Additionally participants addressed institutional reforms and peace efforts across the continent.
“I am honored to take this role and will work toward collective African agency,” Ndayishimiye stated during the handover. Furthermore John Dramani Mahama, president of Ghana, became the first vice-chairperson.
Calls for Institutional Reform
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission, urged bold reforms. He highlighted the need for financial self-reliance amid declining external funding.
“Institutional reform and financial self-reliance are now imperative as external funding declines,” Youssouf declared in his address. Meanwhile, leaders endorsed changes to enhance efficiency and reduce bureaucracy in the union’s operations.
Emphasis on Peace and Security
The summit tackled ongoing conflicts in regions like the Sahel and Horn of Africa. Participants committed to African-led solutions for stability. “Reforms are advancing under the 2024–2028 Plan, including progress on the peace and security architecture,” Youssouf noted.
Additionally the assembly reviewed reports on unconstitutional changes of government and terrorist threats.
Global Advocacy and Outcomes
António Guterres, secretary general of the United Nations, advocated for Africa’s permanent seat on the UN Security Council. “This is 2026 – not 1946. Whenever decisions about Africa and the world are on the table, Africa must be at the table,” Guterres emphasized.
Furthermore Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria, through his representative Kashim Shettima, vice president of Nigeria, endorsed the reforms. Leaders departed with pledges to implement the 2024-2028 strategic plan for continental progress.
