Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Saturday joined African heads of state and global dignitaries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU), where Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, officially assumed the AU chairmanship for 2026. He succeeds Angola’s President, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, who previously held the position.
The leadership transition was conducted during the summit’s opening ceremony, which drew 49 African leaders alongside international figures, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
According to a statement issued by Shettima’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President actively engaged with other leaders on advancing Africa’s shared development goals.
This year’s summit focused on the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, speaking at the opening session, urged African nations to work collectively and decisively. He highlighted Ethiopia’s progress in areas such as smart agriculture, renewable energy initiatives, and sustainable development strategies aimed at supporting its population of over 130 million people.
In his remarks, UN Secretary-General Guterres commended the AU for its strong collaboration with the United Nations, describing the partnership as one built on mutual respect and consistent dialogue. He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Africa’s efforts in peacebuilding, security, and sustainable growth.
Outgoing AU Chairperson Lourenço, reflecting on his tenure, pointed to progress in infrastructure, economic reforms, human capital development, and resource mobilisation aligned with the continent’s long-term Agenda 2063 blueprint. He also underscored the need for stronger AU mechanisms to address security threats and conflicts across the continent.
The summit concluded its public session with the formal handover to President Ndayishimiye, followed by a group photograph of participating leaders. Delegates later moved into a closed-door meeting to deliberate on priority issues including water access, sanitation, climate change, and continental security.