African Union Elects New Chair for 2026 as Water Security Dominates 39th Summit

Africa Sets Water and Reform at the Centre of Its 2026 Agenda

The Thirty-Ninth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union opened at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a clear message: Africa must finance its future, strengthen its institutions and take control of its global narrative.

Held under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”, the two-day summit placed water security at the centre of continental policy for 2026. Leaders framed access to water not only as a development issue but as a political and strategic imperative linked to public health, food systems and long-term stability.

Addressing the Assembly, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, warned that the summit was taking place at a time of geopolitical turbulence marked by persistent conflicts, institutional fragility and a resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in parts of the continent. Against weakening multilateralism and growing global polarisation, he urged Member States to accelerate political and economic integration under the vision of Agenda 2063.

He stressed that institutional reform and financial self-reliance are now imperative as external funding declines. Stronger domestic resource mobilisation and faster implementation of continental flagship programmes were identified as urgent priorities, particularly industrialisation, agricultural transformation, energy development and infrastructure expansion. These, he noted, are essential foundations for sustainable growth.

The Chairperson also pointed to rising expectations from Africa’s youth, women and civil society, emphasising that this decade of Agenda 2063 must deliver measurable results. He expressed solidarity with populations affected by conflict in Sudan, the Sahel, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia, as well as with the Palestinian people, reaffirming that respect for international and humanitarian law remains central to global peace.

Outgoing AU Chair and President of Angola, H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, officially opened the summit by calling for accelerated action to secure sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems. He described water access as a moral and strategic priority essential for development and stability.

Reflecting on Angola’s tenure, President Lourenço cited progress in advancing Agenda 2063, mobilising investment for infrastructure, strengthening continental integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area and promoting institutional reforms to improve AU efficiency. On peace and security, he reiterated that Africa’s development depends on silencing the guns and addressing conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as combating terrorism in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. He reaffirmed the AU’s rejection of unconstitutional changes of government and cautioned against legitimising coups through subsequent elections.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, used the platform to call for Africa to shift from reacting to global developments to shaping them. As the AU approaches its 25th anniversary, he urged unity and confidence, stressing that sovereignty includes ownership of Africa’s technological future. He highlighted Ethiopia’s establishment of an Artificial Intelligence institute and plans for an AI university as part of that forward-looking vision aligned with Agenda 2063.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, underscored the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the African Union. He emphasised that multilateral cooperation remains essential for peace, security and sustainable development, reaffirming support for Africa’s industrialisation and equitable access to financing. He also reiterated the need for reform of the UN Security Council, including stronger African representation.

A key outcome of the summit was the election of Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi, as Chairperson of the African Union for 2026. He takes over the rotating leadership from Angola’s João Lourenço.

The new Bureau of the Assembly for 2026 reflects regional balance. Burundi assumes the Chair from Central Africa. Ghana will serve as First Vice from West Africa, Tanzania as Second Vice from East Africa, Angola as Rapporteur representing Southern Africa, while the Third Vice from North Africa remains to be confirmed.

Deliberations continue with a strong focus on water security and pressing peace and security challenges across the continent. As Africa positions water at the centre of its political agenda, the message from Addis Ababa is clear: integration, reform and self-reliance are no longer aspirational slogans but urgent policy directions. For a continent whose modern institutions are still young in historical terms, the demand for measurable delivery is growing louder. If water becomes the foundation for stability, growth and dignity, Africa’s next chapter may well be defined not by scarcity, but by strategic stewardship and collective resolve.