African Leaders Arrive in Addis Ababa for 39th AU Summit

Addis Ababa, February 12, 2026 (ENA)—Heads of state and government from across the continent continue to arrive in the Ethiopian capital for the high-level assembly.

King Letsie III of Lesotho, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Vice President of the   Uganda, Alupo Jessica Rose, and Gambian Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow arrived in Addis Ababa to participate in the 39th African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

Upon their arrival at Bole International Airport, the leaders were accorded a warm welcome by high-ranking Ethiopia’s government officials, including Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye, Minister of Agriculture Adisu Arega, Minister of Labor and Skills Muferiat Kamil, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye and Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Sime along with State Minister for Foreign Affairs.

​​​​​​The 39th AU Summit is being held under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” This summit follows the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, which is currently underway in the capital.

In a related engagement, King Letsie III, who serves as the African Union Champion for Nutrition, visited Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa.

During the visit, the King was accompanied by Minister of Health Mekdes Daba, Head of the Addis Ababa Health Bureau Yohannes Chala, President and CEO of Nutrition International Joel Spicer, and other invited guests.

The visit focused on observing Ethiopia's ongoing efforts to promote holistic child development and strengthen nutrition security initiatives within the hospital’s specialized programs.