For those of us living in Addis Ababa, the AU Summit is often felt first through the spectacle: the rows of national flags lining the streets, the heavy security presence, and the disruption of traffic as motorcades whisk foreign dignitaries across the city. While the summit is a major event in our backyard, the actual deliberations behind closed doors at the Mandela Conference Hall can sometimes feel distant. The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, held on February 14–15, 2026, was no exception, bringing together African Heads of States from 50+ countries as well as observers from different parts of the world. Here are a key summary of the events that transpired.
A Change in Leadership
One of the most significant ceremonial yet functional parts of the summit is the changing of the guard. During this session, President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi officially assumed the office of Chairperson of the African Union for 2026, taking over from the outgoing Chair, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola. This transition is central to how the AU maintains continental representation in its leadership.
The Theme of the Year: Water and Sanitation
Each year, the AU selects a specific focus to guide its work. For 2026, the Assembly launched the theme: “Ensuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063”. This initiative aims to address a critical "human-security driver," focusing on the hundreds of millions of Africans who still lack managed sanitation and reliable water services. Leaders also endorsed the Africa Water Vision 2063 to mobilize resources for infrastructure and climate adaptation.
Tackling the "Polycrisis"
Much of the summit’s urgent work involved addressing what experts call a “polycrisis”, which is a mix of active conflicts, terrorism, and humanitarian disasters. The Assembly reviewed the state of peace and security, specifically focusing on the situations in Sudan, South Sudan, the Sahel region, and the eastern DRC. They reaffirmed a policy of zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government and discussed the need for sustainable financing for peace operations to "silence the guns" across the continent.
Economic Integration and the G20
On the economic front, the summit pushed for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to move from a legal framework into a practical commercial reality. This involves the digitization of customs and the harmonization of trade rules to boost intra-African business. Additionally, leaders discussed Africa's role in the G20, where the AU now holds a permanent seat, emphasizing the need for a unified African voice on global issues like debt restructuring and climate finance.
Seeking Historical Justice
An interesting and vital part of the 39th Summit was the consideration of a study regarding historical justice. Leaders discussed describing colonization as a crime against humanity and certain acts during the era of slavery as acts of genocide. This aligns with a broader push for reparatory justice and the preservation of the dignity of African peoples.
Ethiopia's Unique Role
As the permanent host of the African Union, Ethiopia occupies a special position. Beyond providing the venue, Ethiopia, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, hosted a state dinner for the visiting leaders and positioned itself as a regional anchor for integration, particularly in energy and water governance.
While the summit may cause temporary disruptions to our daily commutes, its ultimate goal is to transform the continent into a global powerhouse through the strategic framework of Agenda 2063. The challenge remains moving these high-level discussions from the Mandela Hall into domestic policies that benefit citizens across the continent.
