By Dr. Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin, L.H.D (Hon) Updated at 1456 EAT on Saturday 14th February 2026

ADDIS ABABA – ETHIOPIA – At a formal handover ceremony in Addis Ababa on 14 February 2026, Angolan President João Lourenço officially transferred the Chairmanship of the African Union (AU) to Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, marking the conclusion of Angola’s tenure at the helm of the continental body.

In his farewell address as outgoing AU Chairperson, President Lourenço congratulated President Ndayishimiye on his unanimous election as Chairperson pro tempore of the Union, expressing confidence in his leadership over the next 12 months.

“The unanimous election of Your Excellency reflects our collective recognition that the African Union will be guided by a statesman of distinguished qualities,” Lourenço said, noting that the incoming Chair would safeguard Africa’s shared interests while advancing unity, solidarity, peace, stability and inclusive development.

2026 Theme: Water and Sanitation

President Lourenço highlighted the AU’s 2026 theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” He described access to safe drinking water and sanitation as both a moral and political imperative requiring coordinated action by governments, private sector actors, civic associations and communities.

He stressed that Africa must unite efforts to address persistent water insecurity and sanitation challenges, describing the issue as central to breaking the cycle of underdevelopment.

Tribute to AU Institutions

As he handed over the baton, President Lourenço commended the AU Commission, its Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and the Commission’s technical staff for their dedication and professionalism during Angola’s tenure.

He expressed confidence that Member States would fully support President Ndayishimiye in advancing the Union’s programmes and priorities.

Lourenço Opens 39th AU Summit, Calls for Unity on Water, Peace and Reform

Earlier in the day, President João Lourenço formally opened the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

The summit brought together African leaders and international partners, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Water Security at the Centre of Agenda 2063

In his opening remarks, President Lourenço underscored the strategic importance of the 2026 theme on sustainable water management and sanitation, linking it directly to economic development, public health, food security, social stability and peace.

He acknowledged that despite Africa’s abundant water resources, millions remain without safe drinking water and adequate sanitation — a collective challenge demanding courageous, integrated and sustainable responses.

“Access to drinking water and sanitation is not merely a technical matter; it is a political and moral commitment to our peoples,” he said.

Review of Angola’s AU Chairmanship

Reflecting on Angola’s year as AU Chair, President Lourenço highlighted progress under the 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” and outlined key priorities pursued during his tenure, including:

Peace, security and good governance Sustainable development and economic growth Continental integration Infrastructure and human capital development Strategic partnerships and inclusive multilateralism.

He pointed to the 3rd Luanda Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development and renewed efforts to accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as major milestones.

Peace and Security Concerns

President Lourenço expressed deep concern over ongoing conflicts and security threats across the continent, including the war in Sudan and instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

He warned against the normalization of unconstitutional changes of government, stressing that elections organized by coup leaders should not be used to legitimize unconstitutional seizures of power.

“This cannot become a new normal way of gaining power,” he cautioned.

He also reaffirmed the AU’s rejection of any recognition of Somaliland as an independent entity, emphasizing respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Call for Institutional Reform

On AU institutional reform, President Lourenço praised Kenyan President William Ruto’s work as Champion of Institutional Reforms and emphasized the need for a more agile and less bureaucratic Union capable of delivering effective resolutions.

He announced plans to propose an Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly later this year in Luanda to address escalating peace and security challenges across the continent.

Biennale of Luanda

President Lourenço also invited leaders to attend the fourth edition of the Biennale of Luanda — the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence — scheduled for October 2026, which will align with the AU’s 2026 theme on water governance as a tool for conflict prevention.

Concluding his address, he urged Member States to adopt responsible and forward-looking governance and reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to multilateralism, reform of global institutions and collective action.

“With these words, I hereby declare officially open the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union,” he stated.