Addis Ababa, February 14, 2026 (FMC) – Burundi has officially assumed the Chairmanship of the African Union for 2026, taking over from Angola during the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government being held at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
The handover of the rotating chairmanship took place between Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi, and João Lourenço, President of Angola, marking the transition of leadership of the continental body for the year ahead.
As Chair of the African Union, Burundi will guide the political work of the Union, oversee the implementation of Assembly decisions, and represent the organization at high-level regional and international engagements throughout 2026.
The change in leadership coincides with the African Union’s 2026 theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” which will frame the Union’s policy direction and activities over the coming year.
The Chairmanship of the African Union rotates annually among member states, while the Assembly of Heads of State and Government remains the Union’s highest decision-making body, responsible for setting continental priorities and adopting binding decisions.