African Union elects Burundi’s Ndayishimiye as 2026 chair

• Burundi’s Ndayishimiye elected AU Chair for 2026
• Leaders press water security, peace and financial independence

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye has been elected Chairperson of the African Union for 2026, as leaders urged faster reforms and stronger financial independence amid global turbulence.

Ndayishimiye formally took over the rotating leadership from Angola’s President João Lourenço during the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government at the Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa. Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama secured the First Vice Chair position.