By Rodrigue Fénelon Massala, senior reporter / special envoy in Addis Ababa
Gathered on February 14 and 15, 2026 in Addis Ababa, African heads of state and government are participating in the 39th Summit of the African Union, focused on the central theme of water, climate, and development. In a context marked by climate urgency, security tensions, and geopolitical realignments, this continental meeting aims to reaffirm the ambition to “ensure sustainable availability of water and safe sanitation systems,” in line with the goals of Agenda 2063.
The challenge is immense. Over 400 million Africans still do not have access to safe drinking water, while nearly 800 million lack basic sanitation services. Water, a vital resource, now intersects public health, food security, economic growth, and social stability. The increasing droughts, demographic pressures, and ecosystem degradation accentuate the continent’s vulnerability.
A new presidency with high expectations
One of the highlights of the summit’s opening was the election of Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi, as the rotating AU presidency for the year 2026, succeeding João Lourenço. This role, with strong symbolic and diplomatic significance, gives the country a central role in defining the organization’s political and institutional priorities.
Expectations are particularly high in the security domain. Situated in the heart of East and Central Africa, Burundi is directly affected by the fragile balances in the Great Lakes region. The persistent crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains one of the most sensitive issues. As a strategic ally of Kinshasa, the Burundian president is called upon to play a discreet but decisive intermediary role, especially in monitoring peace agreements involving Rwanda and the DRC.
“The task is difficult, but it remains achievable,” confides an African diplomat from the region, mentioning the need for a diplomacy that is both firm and pragmatic.
Security and governance at the heart of discussions
Beyond water issues, peace and security occupy a central place in the discussions. Several areas of tension concern the leaders: the persistence of armed groups in eastern DRC, instability in the Sahel, terrorist threats in West Africa, and the resurgence of unconstitutional changes in some countries.
The summit aims to reassess African conflict prevention mechanisms, strengthen peacekeeping mechanisms, and reinvigorate the discussion on the reform of the continental security architecture. The stated goal is to shift from reactive crisis management to a more anticipatory and structured approach.
Economic integration and Agenda 2063
The discussions go beyond security and humanitarian urgencies. Economic integration also features prominently on the agenda. The progressive implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is presented as a major lever to boost intra-African trade, attract investments, and support industrialization.
Infrastructure, development financing, and private capital mobilization are closely linked to this ambition. Heads of state are also evaluating the commitments made within the framework of Agenda 2063, a strategic roadmap for the continent’s transformation over several decades.
Sustained international attention
The Addis Ababa summit confirms the growing interest of international partners in African dynamics. Representatives from the United Nations, the European Union, and other multilateral institutions closely follow the proceedings, particularly on governance, regional security, and ecological transition issues.
On this occasion, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, delivered what could be his final major address to the continent. Uncertainty remains regarding his succession. Behind the scenes, several sources mention the possible candidacy of Macky Sall for this strategic position, without official confirmation at this stage.
Active diplomacy and political realignments
On the sidelines of the summit, diplomatic initiatives are multiplying. Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has intensified his bilateral exchanges with several African leaders. He also met with Giorgia Meloni, illustrating Dakar’s desire to strengthen its Euro-African partnerships.
These negotiations reflect a continent in full realignment, where water, security, and economic issues closely intertwine with diplomatic ambitions.
A summit marked by interdependencies
In Addis Ababa, Africa is thus striving to address its challenges in a comprehensive manner. Water, peace, trade, and governance are no longer seen as isolated issues, but as components of the same development system.
In an uncertain international environment and under increasing climate pressure, the 39th Summit of the African Union appears as a pivotal moment. It engages the collective responsibility of member states to translate political commitments into effective public policies, an essential condition to make Agenda 2063 more than just a statement of intentions.