The African Union (AU) has elected a new Bureau of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government and pledged to prioritise water security in 2026.
This was contained in a statement released on the AU website on Sunday, issued on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Summit, which ran from 14 to 15 February 2026 under the theme “Assuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063,” focused on calls for African solidarity, financial independence, and a collective push to shape the global agenda.
The ongoing Summit elected a new Bureau of the Assembly, comprising: the Chair of the AU – Republic of Burundi (Central), First Vice – Ghana (West), Second Vice – Tanzania (East), Third Vice yet to be confirmed (North Africa), and Rapporteur – Angola (South).
The election saw President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi appointed Chairperson of the AU for 2026, taking over the rotating leadership from Angola’s President João Lourenço.
Speaking at the Summit, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf commended the meeting for taking place at a time of mounting geopolitical turbulence, with persistent conflicts, institutional fragility, and the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government across parts of the continent.
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He decried weakening multilateralism and rising global polarisation, urging Member States to accelerate political and economic integration under the guiding vision of Agenda 2063. He said institutional reform and financial self-reliance are imperative as external funding declines.
“We call for stronger domestic resource mobilisation and faster implementation of continental flagship programmes, particularly industrialisation, agricultural transformation, energy development and infrastructure expansion, which are essential conditions for sustainable growth,” he said.
The AUC Chairperson expressed solidarity with populations affected by conflict, citing crises in Sudan, the Sahel, eastern DR Congo, Somalia, and the suffering of the Palestinian people, stressing that institutional reform and financial self-reliance are now imperative as external funding declines.
“We reaffirm that respect for international law and humanitarian law remains fundamental to global peace and call for determined, collective action to secure a stronger, more autonomous and prosperous Africa,” he added.
Outgoing AU Chairperson, Angola’s President João Lourenço, in his opening remarks, called for accelerated action to ensure sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems.
He 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 AU Chair.
Lourenço highlighted successes in advancing Agenda 2063, including mobilising investment for infrastructure, strengthening continental integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and promoting reforms to improve AU efficiency and reduce bureaucracy.
On peace and security, he stressed that Africa’s development depends on silencing the guns and addressing ongoing conflicts, particularly in Sudan and the DR Congo, as well as combating terrorism in the Sahel and Horn of Africa.
He reaffirmed the AU’s rejection of unconstitutional changes of government, warning against legitimising coups through subsequent elections and urging African leaders to adopt measurable policies that deliver tangible results for citizens while reinforcing a resilient, integrated, and prosperous Africa aligned with Agenda 2063.
Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, emphasised that Africa should move from reacting to global events to actively shaping the global agenda, particularly as the AU approaches its 25th anniversary.
“True sovereignty includes owning Africa’s narrative and technological future,” he said, highlighting Ethiopia’s established Artificial Intelligence (AI) institute and plans for an AI university.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between the UN and the AU, highlighting multilateral cooperation as essential for peace, security, and sustainable development.
He also noted Africa’s growing influence in global affairs, emphasising the need for UN Security Council reform, including stronger African representation, and reaffirming support for Africa’s development goals, industrialisation, and equitable access to financing.
The Summit continues with deliberations focused on water security, alongside pressing peace and security issues across the continent.
