Burundi’s President Takes Reins as AU Chair Amid Warns of Geopolitical Turbulence

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union on Saturday elected Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye as its chairperson for 2026, concluding a high-level summit where continental leaders prioritized water security, institutional reform, and regional stability.

Ndayishimiye takes over the rotating leadership from Angolan President João Lourenço at the close of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held at the AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital.

The two-day summit centered on the theme of ensuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems, a core pillar of "Agenda 2063," the bloc’s long-term developmental roadmap. Leaders categorized water access not merely as a resource issue, but as a critical imperative for public health and security on a continent increasingly strained by climate change, rapid urbanization, and resource-driven conflict.

For Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, the summit’s focus carries significant domestic weight. Government officials noted that the emphasis on water security aligns with Nigeria’s internal struggles regarding potable water access, environmental degradation, and persistent farmer-herder tensions. Abuja has remained a vocal proponent of enhanced continental coordination to bolster infrastructure and climate resilience.

Despite the developmental focus, the assembly was overshadowed by a sober assessment of the continent’s security landscape. AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf addressed the heads of state, warning of "mounting geopolitical turbulence" and the destabilizing effects of persistent armed conflicts.

Youssouf specifically highlighted the troubling resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in several regions. He issued a call to action for member states to accelerate political and economic integration, emphasizing the need for the union to reduce its long-standing reliance on external financing to secure its sovereignty.

GAROWE ONLINE