Vice President Kashim Shettima joined a host of African and global leaders on Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi formally assumed the African Union chairmanship for 2026, succeeding President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola.
The handover took place at the opening of the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU, drawing 49 heads of state and government, along with international partners including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President was described as actively engaging with continental leaders to strengthen Africa’s collective agenda.
The summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” opened with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali calling on African leaders to act with unity and determination.
“Ethiopia is making giant strides through investments in smart agriculture, climate-friendly energy projects and is on track in providing a sustainable future for its rapidly growing population, currently put at over 130 million people,” he said.
UN Secretary-General Guterres praised the AU’s partnership with the UN, saying, “Your solidarity has not only strengthened our efforts; it has moved me deeply, and I will never forget it.
“From day one of my mandate, we forged a UN partnership with the African Union rooted in respect, constant dialogue, and unwavering solidarity. Over the last decade, our cooperation has reached new heights.”
He urged African leaders to strengthen commitments to the ideals of the UN, promising that the global body will continue prioritising Africa’s progress in peace, security, and sustainable development.
Outgoing AU Chairperson Lourenço reflected on his tenure, citing key achievements across Africa, including inclusive growth, infrastructure development, human capital expansion, and resource mobilisation for economic and social transformation in line with Agenda 2063.
He also stressed that “the AU must strengthen its mechanisms for security and conflict resolution in Africa to effectively tackle emerging challenges that threaten peace and the livelihoods of our people.”
The session concluded with the formal assumption of office by President Ndayishimiye, followed by a family photo of leaders before the plenary moved into a closed session to discuss strategic continental priorities, including water, sanitation, climate change, and security.
