What do they do at the AU Summit?

For those of us living in Addis Ababa, the AU Summit is often felt first through the spectacle: the rows of national flags lining the streets, the heavy security presence, and the disruption of traffic as motorcades whisk foreign dignitaries across the city. While the summit is a major event in our backyard, the actual deliberations behind closed doors at the Mandela Conference Hall can sometimes feel distant. The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, held on February 14–15, 2026, was no exception, bringing together African Heads of States from 50+ countries as well as observers from different parts of the world. Here are a key summary of the events that transpired.

A Change in Leadership