Officials attending the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, have called for Africa to be present at the global table where decisions are made amid rapidly shifting global dynamics. Speaking at the opening ceremony, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated Africa’s long-standing demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council. He described the absence of permanent African seats as an injustice that no longer reflects modern global realities. “This is 2026, not 1946. Whatever decisions about Africa and the world are at the table, Africa must be at that table,” he said. ALSO READ: AU Summit: What’s on the aganda as African leaders meet in Addis Ababa? His remarks align with one of the summit’s key agenda items, where the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government is expected to present progress on Africa’s common position regarding UN Security Council reform. The Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government is an African Union body, established in 2016, dedicated to advancing education, science, technology, and innovation across Africa. ALSO READ: Nduhungirehe in Addis Ababa ahead of AU summit Guterres further emphasized the need for fair and sustainable value chains for Africa’s critical minerals. “No more exploitation, no more plundering. The people of Africa must benefit from their resources,” he said. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, warned that multilateralism is under strain, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise. “Multilateralism is being tested, and we are witnessing the emergence of unilateralism and protectionism. In the face of these, Africa should scale up its cooperation,” he said, urging Pan-African Institutions to intensify their efforts and determination. The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali, described the moment as one of profound global transition, stressing that Africa must move beyond foundational unity toward functional sovereignty. ALSO READ: PM Nsengiyumva in Addis to represent Kagame at AU Summit “Sovereignty means owning our narratives,” he said, adding that Africa must not only respond to crises but also actively shape global agendas and turn its vision into action. “Africa can contribute stability, scale, and solutions to a changing world. But we must do more than respond to a crisis. We must shape the agenda, turning vision into action, and leading with purpose.” AU Leadership Transition The opening ceremony also marked a leadership handover within the continental body. Outgoing AU Chairperson João Lourenço, President of Angola, formally transferred the chairmanship to Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi.
