The African Union’s Executive Council has opened its Forty-Eighth Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa with renewed calls for continental unity, sustainable water management and accelerated integration, as foreign ministers from across Africa gather to shape priorities ahead of the 2026 AU Summit.
The two-day meeting, taking place at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital, is being held under the Union’s 2026 theme of the year, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” The theme places water and sanitation at the centre of Africa’s long-term development ambitions, amid growing climate pressures and rising demand across the continent.
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Opening the session, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, described water as both a strategic resource and a unifying force for the continent. He warned that climate disruptions were already placing strain on water systems and urged member states to treat water as a shared good requiring collective stewardship.
“In the face of observed climate disruptions, the prudent use of water in all aspects of daily life is a major imperative,” he said, adding that water should be preserved “as a collective good” and used as a means of fostering cooperation and peace among African states.
The Commission Chairperson linked the water and sanitation agenda directly to the goals of Agenda 2063, the AU’s long-term development framework, stressing that sustainable access to water was foundational to health, food security, economic growth and regional stability.
H.E. Youssouf also outlined progress on institutional reforms within the African Union, pointing to the validated 2024–2028 strategic plan and ongoing restructuring efforts being implemented in coordination with Kenya’s President, H.E. William Ruto, who serves as Champion of the AU reform process.
At the same time, he expressed concern about persistent political instability and security challenges in parts of the continent. While welcoming the return to constitutional order in Gabon and Guinea and their reintegration into the African Union, he noted setbacks in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau and warned of continuing terrorist threats in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. “While there has been regression and progress is minimal, our mediators are active,” he said, underlining the AU’s continued engagement in conflict prevention and political mediation.
Integration, trade and financing development
On economic development, the Commission Chairperson highlighted progress made through continental instruments such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, describing it as a key driver of integration and growth. He called for greater innovation in development financing and urged stronger involvement of the private sector, civil society and philanthropic organisations.
“More than ever, the continent needs to capitalise on its instruments to boost the momentum of development and integration,” he said, emphasising that Africa’s ambitions would require broader partnerships and new sources of funding.
Angola’s Leadership and Diplomatic Engagement
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Council, Angola’s Minister of External Relations, H.E. Amb. Téte António, reflected on Angola’s role during its presidency of the African Union. He said Luanda had led intensified diplomatic engagement and high-level consultations aimed at strengthening collective African action.
According to the Angolan minister, the AU made progress on peace, security and development coordination under Angola’s leadership, while also laying groundwork for the 2026 Summit of Heads of State and Government. He described the presidency as firmly committed to African-led solutions, deeper unity among member states and stronger strategic partnerships across the continent.
Africa’s Voice in a Changing Global Order
Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Gedion Timothewos, highlighted what he described as Africa’s gains over the past year, including advances on Agenda 2063, implementation of the AfCFTA and a more coordinated African position on issues such as United Nations Security Council reform and climate justice.
He also pointed to ongoing challenges, including unconstitutional changes of government, geopolitical competition on the continent and external exploitation of African resources. Unity, he said, remained Africa’s strongest defence in safeguarding its interests and securing fair representation in global decision-making forums.
Looking ahead, the minister called for renewed commitment to continental solidarity and proactive leadership, particularly as Ethiopia prepares to host COP 32, urging member states to work together to realise the vision of “the Africa we want”.
Rethinking Africa’s Economic Model
Adding a global economic perspective, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Mr Claver Gatete, told ministers that Africa was at a critical economic turning point. He argued that traditional development models based on commodity exports and heavy reliance on external financing were no longer sustainable.
Against a backdrop of global economic fragmentation, fiscal pressures and climate risks, he said Africa’s development must be organised around its own continental economic system, with the African Continental Free Trade Area serving as a central pillar.
Decisions, Elections and The Road Ahead
In its closed sessions, the Executive Council is expected to consider the report of the 51st Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee, review Africa’s participation in the G20 and conduct elections and appointments to key AU organs. These include the Peace and Security Council, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Ministers will also review progress on the implementation of previous decisions, including updates on the Skills Assessment and Competence Audit process, examine draft legal instruments and consider reports from ministerial committees on matters such as member state contributions, African candidatures within the international system and the implementation of Agenda 2063.
The meeting will further scrutinise the draft agenda and decisions for the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for 14–15 February, before adopting the outcomes of the current session.
The opening of the 48th Ordinary Session signals the African Union’s continued focus on governance reform, peace and security, and long-term development, as member states seek to align immediate political priorities with the continent’s broader strategic vision.
