Mahama elected First Vice Chairperson of African Union

Accra, Feb. 16, – President John Dramani Mahama has been elected First Vice Chairperson of the African Union (AU) at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to a statement from the AU, the Assembly also elected President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi as Chairperson of the Union for 2026. He will assume the rotating leadership from Angola’s President João Lourenço.

The newly constituted Bureau of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government for 2026 comprises: Chairperson – Republic of Burundi (Central Region); First Vice Chairperson – Ghana (West Region); Second Vice Chairperson – Tanzania (East Region); Third Vice Chairperson – North Africa Region (to be confirmed); and Rapporteur – Angola (Southern Region).

In his address to the Assembly, Mr Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, highlighted the 2026 theme focused on water and sanitation. He described access to safe water as a shared continental priority that underpins both sustainable development and peace.

Mr Youssouf observed that the summit was convened at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, ongoing conflicts, fragile institutions and renewed instances of unconstitutional changes of government in some parts of Africa.

He further noted the challenges posed by weakening multilateralism and growing global polarisation, urging Member States to deepen political and economic integration in pursuit of the aspirations outlined in Agenda 2063.

The two-day summit is being held under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

GHBUSS

February 16, 2026