Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, departed the country today for Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to participate in the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), to be held from 14th to 15th February, 2026.
In advance of the Assembly, on 13th February 2026, President Samia is expected to participate in the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) meeting, hosted by H.E. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya. She will thereafter attend a State Dinner hosted in her honour by H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
On the margins of the Assembly, President Samia is also scheduled to hold high-level bilateral meetings with several leaders, including H.E. Russell Mmiso Dlamini, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini; H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros; Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; and Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group. These engagements are intended to further consolidate political dialogue, deepen economic cooperation, and advance shared development priorities.
The Assembly will commence on 14th February, 2026 under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” The Theme reflects the collective resolve of Member States to strengthen water security, promote public health, and accelerate sustainable and inclusive development across the continent.
Tanzania is concluding its tenure on the African Union Peace and Security Council, having served two consecutive terms from 2022 to 2026. During this period, Tanzania made substantive and constructive contributions to continental efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, conflict prevention, and post-conflict reconstruction.
In accordance with the established rotational arrangements, the Assembly will also formally announce the leadership of the African Union for the year 2026. The Republic of Burundi is expected to assume the Chairmanship of the Union, while the United Republic of Tanzania has been designated as Second Vice-Chairperson of the Assembly Bureau, representing the Eastern Region. This responsibility reflects the continued confidence of Member States in Tanzania’s principled leadership and commitment to continental integration.
Furthermore, during the current Session, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has been proposed for appointment as the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health. The proposed designation, which is expected to be formally endorsed by the Assembly, underscores Tanzania’s longstanding commitment to strengthening health systems, promoting family well-being, and advancing human capital development in Africa.
Through her participation in this Assembly, Tanzania reaffirms its commitment to African unity, multilateral cooperation, collective self-reliance, and a results-oriented continental agenda aimed at fostering peace, prosperity, resilience, and sustainable development.