Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, has been elected Chairperson of the African Union for 2026, taking over from Angola’s João Lourenço at the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
In his acceptance speech, President Ndayishimiye emphasised the urgency of advancing continental unity and integration. While underscoring Africa’s need for financial self-reliance, he stressed the importance of accelerating flagship initiatives on industrialisation, agricultural transformation, infrastructure development and energy expansion — key pillars for sustainable growth.
He highlighted water security and sanitation as strategic priorities, describing access to safe water as essential for public health, food security, stability and inclusive development. Ndayishimiye also reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to promoting peace, condemning unconstitutional changes of government and supporting populations affected by conflict in Sudan, the Sahel, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
The new AU chair pledged to work closely with AU institutions, member states and continental partners to deliver measurable results aligned with the vision of Agenda 2063, while addressing the aspirations of Africa’s youth, women and civil society.
Outgoing chair President João Lourenço highlighted progress made during his tenure, including efforts to boost continental integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area and reforms aimed at improving AU efficiency. Ndayishimiye inherits these initiatives and the task of steering the union through a critical period of geopolitical challenges, institutional strengthening and rising expectations for tangible outcomes.
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, joined other leaders in congratulating President Ndayishimiye and pledged support for Africa’s development priorities and continental ambitions under his leadership.
As AU chair for 2026, President Ndayishimiye assumes a central role in shaping Africa’s political and economic trajectory, reinforcing peace and ensuring that critical development goals — including water security and sustainable sanitation — remain at the top of the continental agenda.
The two-day summit, held under the theme “Assuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063,” also focused on peace, institutional reform and Africa’s collective role in shaping the global agenda.
