Under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” the 39th Assembly of the Heads of State of the African Union (AU) was held on 14-15 February in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
According to Ali Al-Hefni, a former deputy to Egypt’s foreign minister, the summit comes amid complex regional and international developments that directly affect the African continent regarding peace, security, and development.
The choice of the theme was prompted by the water shortages and poor sanitary systems that many African countries are facing and by the fact that water is one of their most pressing basic needs, Al-Hefni said.
Egypt’s participation in the meeting was designed to promote various goals, perhaps the most important of which was presenting the annual report of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC).
Egypt is the chair of the PSC until this month.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, heading Egypt’s delegation, presented a comprehensive review of the PSC’s activities and ongoing efforts to resolve regional conflicts.
He noted that a “comprehensive approach” to strengthening security across the continent is essential in addressing interconnected challenges, foremost among them terrorism and foreign interference that encroach on state sovereignty.
While he welcomed the adoption of the Africa Water Vision and Policy 2063, describing it as a comprehensive framework for promoting the sustainable management of water resources in Africa, he also highlighted the importance of the principles it enshrines, especially those related to the management and utilisation of transboundary water resources.
The Africa Water Vision calls for the equitable and sustainable management of water resources for poverty alleviation, socio-economic development, regional cooperation, and environmental protection in Africa.
“The endorsement of these principles at the summit transforms them into binding African commitments that no single state can disregard or claim exemption from,” Abdelatty said. The vision, he added, acknowledges water as a fundamental human right rather than simply a commodity.
He stressed that treating shared water resources as unilateral sovereign assets presents a threat to water and food security.
He also noted that Egypt is among the world’s most water-scarce countries, relying almost entirely on the River Nile to meet its needs amid increasing challenges including population growth, urban expansion, and the impacts of climate change.
In addition to underlining Sudan’s right to its share of Nile water, the vision also has other goals including re-emphasising the clear rejection of any move to divide Sudan or undermine its state institutions as “completely unacceptable,” Abdelatty said.
In an interview with Aljazeera TV channel on Saturday, Abdelatty said that any violation of Sudan’s sovereignty or the creation of parallel bodies to official institutions, particularly the Sovereignty Council and the national army, would trigger a “firm and strong” Egyptian response.
He stressed that Sudan’s national security is inseparable from Egypt’s, describing the deepening displacement crisis and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Sudan as highly sensitive issues that directly affect Egyptian national security.
Abdelatty mentioned several factors obstructing efforts to reach a final settlement in Sudan, including the presence of mercenaries. He called for their immediate withdrawal from Sudanese territory, as well as an end to external support to armed groups.
Another goal directly related to the crisis in Sudan and other African countries is espousing African solution to African challenges, particularly in the areas of peace and security.
Chairperson of the AU Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf highlighted the importance of adhering to this principle, saying that it has become a strategic necessity in an increasingly troubled geopolitical situation.
A strong and more active AU will be able to help in resolving conflicts, Al-Hefni said, whether within one state or involving two or more African states, closing the door on the intervention of parties from outside the continent.
The summit also addressed other strategic goals, including the activation of the African Union’s membership in the G20 group of countries.
In a session focusing on that issue, Abdelatty underlined the importance of making full use of the AU’s present membership in the group to promote the priorities of the African continent and address the challenges facing African countries, especially the debt crisis and the need to reform international financial institutions in a way that serves the interests of developing nations and supports sustainable development.
“The AU membership in the G20 is a strategic opportunity to enhance the African voice in global economic issues,” he said during a meeting with Francisca Belobe, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals.
He called for strong African coordination and the adoption of unified stands at the G20.
The G20 meeting held in South Africa last November was unusual because of US President Donald Trump’s refusal to attend or to allow his country to participate at any level, Al-Hefni said.
“It was the first time that the G20 meeting was held in Africa, and all the G20 members should have supported the summit rather than declining to attend,” he said.
The AU has been a permanent member of the G20 since 2023.
Another important issue discussed at the summit was the need for UN Security Council reform to ensure the fair representation of the African continent.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called during the AU Summit for an end to Africa’s continued absence from permanent representation on the Security Council, describing the situation as unacceptable.
The absence of permanent African seats on the council is “indefensible”, he said, adding that “this is 2026, not 1946”.
“Whenever decisions about Africa and the world are on the table, Africa must be at the table,” he said.
Abdelatty held several meetings on the sidelines of the summit, including with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the AU Commission, during which the two men focused on preparations for the Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, which will be hosted by Egypt in June 2026, alongside the inaugural Africa Business Forum.
Youssouf highlighted the AU’s commitment to working closely with Egypt to ensure the successful organisation and delivery of the meeting.
Abdelatty also held a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa, during which he stressed the importance of continuing the historic African solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Meeting on the sidelines of the summit, the two officials covered efforts to advance the second phase of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.
Abdelatty highlighted the need for ensuring the regular flow of humanitarian aid into the Strip and overseeing Israel’s withdrawal from areas it controls.
Mustafa emphasised the importance of continued coordination and consultation with Egypt to support Palestinian unity and strengthen Arab and African backing for the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights.
Abdelatty also met his Tunisian counterpart Ali Al-Nafti, and the two men discussed bilateral issues as well as regional issues including the crisis in Libya.
Abdelatty also held bilateral meetings with other African foreign ministers, including those of Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, and Liberia, during which he discussed boosting bilateral relations as well as ways to enhance peace, security, and development in the continent.
The summit saw important institutional developments, including the election of the AU Bureau for 2026 and the handover of the rotating AU Chairmanship from Angolan President Joao Lourenco to Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye.
In a separate development building on Egypt’s efforts to boost its role in Africa, Abdelatty headed to Kenya on Monday in a visit that aims to boost bilateral relations and enhance development efforts.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 19 February, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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