The 39th African Union summit ended on February 15 in Addis Ababa, after two days of discussions between heads of state and government on the major crises on the continent.
Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who became the rotating chairman of the African Union, and the Commission's president, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, presented the main conclusions at a final press conference.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed that the AU would not accept any unconstitutional change of power. This statement comes as Guinean General Mamadi Doumbouya and Gabonese General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema participated in the summit, and as transitions are underway in Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar.
Regarding the Sahel countries – Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso – the African Union will maintain dialogue with the military regimes in power. According to the Commission's president, the proliferation of terrorist groups in the region remains "the biggest problem."
Actions for security and stabilization
Évariste Ndayishimiye, already the AU's special envoy for the Sahel since July 2025, stressed the need for regional solidarity to combat jihadism and support a swift return to constitutional order. A "common platform" of eighteen countries on security issues will be created in the coming weeks. The ECOWAS chiefs of staff will meet in Freetown from February 24 to 27 to organize participation in the regional counter-terrorism force.
The AU reiterated its commitment to "silencing the guns" on the continent, without addressing all existing conflicts. Regarding Sudan, the head of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Adeoye Bankole, stressed the need for humanitarian access and international coordination. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights has issued recommendations on the events in Sudan, which have not yet been taken into account by the Peace and Security Council.
For the Democratic Republic of Congo, Évariste Ndayishimiye insisted on the implementation of the peace agreements and the establishment of an interposition force, while Mahmoud Ali Youssouf recalled the role of the AU in mediation, in coordination with regional and international partners.
