The 39th African summit, held in Addis Ababa on February 14-15, 2026, was not just a routine meeting in the Union's agenda but highlighted the depth of transformations affecting the continent. Situated in a context marked by an increase in military coups in nations like Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and Benin, ongoing armed conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and escalating regional tensions in the Horn of Africa, this summit convened under the new leadership of Mahmoud Ali Youssef of the Commission. His leadership added an additional political dimension to discussions, particularly regarding African-Arab issues that prominently featured in the debates and the final statement.

In the observation of this summit, there were significant notes relating both to attendance and participation, as well as to the substantive issues addressed. The discourse was characterized by an abundance of rhetoric paired with limitations in decisive action, especially concerning peacekeeping funding for Somalia. The summit was a critical point for framing regional collaborations and responses to the ongoing crises, but it also underscored the challenges the Union faces in achieving effective governance and stability amid rising instability.

Moreover, with only a few months into 2026, the trends highlighted at this summit suggest a complex future for Africa, marked by increasing militarization and political upheaval. The necessity for decisive action from the African Union is underscored by the continued struggles faced by member states and the urgency of establishing stable governance to navigate through this tumultuous landscape.