Burundi’s Évariste Ndayishimiye Takes the Helm: African Union Elects New 2026 Leadership Bureau

A new chapter has begun for the African continent as H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, was officially elected as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) for the year 2026. The high-profile election took place during the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 14–15, 2026.President Ndayishimiye assumes the rotating chairmanship from Angola’s President João Lourenço, who guided the Union through 2025.

In his acceptance speech, Ndayishimiye pledged to prioritize continental unity, peace, and the implementation of the AU’s “Agenda 2063” vision, with a particular focus on this year’s theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems.” The 2026 AU Bureau CompositionThe newly constituted Bureau of the Assembly represents a strategic balance across the continent’s five regions. Tasked with guiding the AU’s policy decisions and diplomatic interventions throughout the year, the 2026 leadership team includes: Rapporteur: H.E. João Lourenço (Angola – Southern Region) A Critical Year for Continental StabilityThe 39th Summit opened amidst what AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described as “mounting geopolitical turbulence.” The new leadership enters office as Africa grapples with persistent conflicts in Sudan and the Sahel, as well as the need for urgent institutional and financial reforms.

The 2026 Bureau will be responsible for representing Africa on the global stage, ensuring that the continent speaks with a unified voice on issues ranging from climate change to economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Chairperson: H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi – Central Region) First Vice Chairperson: H.E.

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John Dramani Mahama (Ghana – West Region) Second Vice Chairperson: H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania – East Region) Third Vice Chairperson: North Africa Region (To be confirmed)

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