President Mahama Elected AU First Vice Chair as Burundi’s Ndayishimiye Takes Helm

Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has been chosen as First Vice Chair of the African Union (AU) for 2026, positioning him to assume the Union’s rotating chairmanship in 2027.

The decision was taken during the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

At the same session, Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, was elected Chair of the African Union for 2026. He succeeds Angola’s João Lourenço, who previously held the position.

The summit, convened under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” brought together African leaders to deliberate on pressing continental issues, including peace, governance, and sustainable development.

Addressing the gathering on February 14, 2026, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, underscored the urgency of improving water access across the continent. He described water as a shared public resource critical not only for economic growth but also for stability and social cohesion.

The two-day summit also echoed strong calls for greater African solidarity, institutional reform, and financial self-reliance as leaders confront persistent conflicts and political instability in parts of the continent.

2026 AU Bureau of the Assembly

Chair – Republic of Burundi (Central Africa)

First Vice Chair – Ghana (West Africa) – President John Dramani Mahama

Second Vice Chair – Tanzania (East Africa)

Third Vice Chair – North Africa Region (to be confirmed)

Rapporteur – Angola (Southern Africa)

Mahama’s elevation is widely seen as strengthening Ghana’s diplomatic influence within the continental body ahead of its anticipated leadership role in 2027.