Ghana has been elected First Vice Chair of the African Union (AU) for 2026, ahead of President John Dramani Mahama’s anticipated assumption of the Union’s Chairmanship in 2027 .

The election took place during the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

At the same session, President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi was elected Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2026.

He succeeds President João Lourenço of Angola, who served as AU Chairperson in 2025.

Composition of the 2026 Bureau
The Bureau of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government for 2026 is composed as follows:

• Chairperson – Burundi (Central Africa)
• First Vice Chair – Ghana (West Africa)
• Second Vice Chair – Tanzania (East Africa)
• Third Vice Chair – North Africa Region (to be confirmed)
• Rapporteur – Angola (Southern Africa)

Focus on Water Security and Sanitation

The 39th AU Summit is under the theme:
“Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

In his opening address, outgoing AU Chairperson João Lourenço called for accelerated action to ensure sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems across the continent. He described access to water as a political, moral and strategic priority critical to Africa’s development, public health, food security and stability.

The summit also featured renewed calls for African solidarity, financial independence for the AU, institutional reform, and stronger collective action to address peace and security challenges across the continent.