The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, arrived in Addis Ababa on the evening of Thursday, February 12, ahead of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
Guterres is expected to address the Assembly, which is scheduled for 14–15 February 2026 at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
On the margins of the Assembly, Guterres will also discuss peace and security challenges facing the continent with various leaders. Military coups, civil wars, terrorism, and human trafficking are major security challenges the Secretary-General is expected to address during his deliberations.
The AU Executive Council has also considered strong measures, including sanctions, to resolve ongoing conflicts, while reaffirming the importance of African-led dialogues for resolving continental disputes. Furthermore, the AU stressed its commitment to the territorial integrity of Sudan and Somalia, condemning any attempts to endanger their sovereignty.
