African Leaders Descend on Ethiopia for Summit Amid Growing Challenges

African leaders are meeting in Addis Ababa for the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to address pressing issues facing the continent. Key topics include the impact of US policies under Donald Trump, including travel bans, aid cuts, and tariffs, as well as ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, and the disproportionate effects of climate change on Africa.

African leaders are converging on the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, as they search for solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing political, economic, and security challenges during the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The summit is scheduled to take place from 14 to 15 February 2026 at the AU headquarters and comes at a time of growing uncertainty and strain across Africa.
The gathering is unfolding against a backdrop of multiple crises confronting the continent, from armed conflicts and economic pressures to climate change and shifting global alliances. Ahead of the leaders’ summit, foreign ministers from AU member states held preparatory meetings to deliberate on key issues, including regional security, economic stability, and diplomatic relations with global partners.
As the heads of state and government begin their discussions, the policies of US President Donald Trump and his administration are expected to loom large over deliberations. African leaders are assessing the implications of Washington’s hardline immigration policies, sweeping cuts to foreign aid, and what many see as an increasingly assertive and disruptive US role in African affairs.
One of the most contentious issues is Trump’s travel ban, which took effect in January and places total or partial restrictions on citizens from 26 African countries, accounting for nearly half of the continent. The policy has raised concerns about discrimination, economic impact, and the strain it places on people-to-people ties between Africa and the United States. At the same time, the Trump administration’s decision to scrap foreign aid funding for humanitarian and health services has dealt a major blow to several African countries that depend heavily on such support.
In place of traditional aid programmes previously run by USAID, Washington is introducing new multi-billion-dollar, country-by-country transactional agreements. Some of these arrangements reportedly give the United States expanded access to Africa’s critical mineral resources, raising concerns among African policymakers about sovereignty and long-term economic fairness. The US has also imposed steep tariffs on a number of African countries as part of its broader global economic agenda.
Diplomatic tensions have further escalated, with the Trump administration becoming embroiled in disputes with Nigeria and South Africa, Africa’s two largest economies. The disagreements center on foreign policy positions and domestic security challenges, forcing both countries to carefully balance national interests while navigating their complex relationships with Washington.
Beyond the impact of US policies, African leaders meeting in Ethiopia are also focused on addressing some of the continent’s most devastating conflicts. These include ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, both of which have caused widespread humanitarian suffering and regional instability. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mohamoud Ali Youssef, has welcomed a recent ceasefire mechanism between the DRC government and rebel groups, describing it as a significant confidence-building step, while also expressing optimism that the conflict in Sudan can be resolved.
Another sensitive issue on the agenda is the African Union’s call for the reversal of Israel’s recent unilateral recognition of Somaliland. The AU has argued that the move undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia and could set a dangerous precedent for separatist movements across the continent.
Climate change is also expected to feature prominently in the leaders’ discussions. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change, despite the continent contributing only about 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. African leaders are likely to use the summit to press for stronger international commitments on climate finance, adaptation support, and mitigation efforts, as the impacts of extreme weather, droughts, and flooding continue to threaten livelihoods and development across the continent.