Zambian, Somali Leaders Land in Addis Ababa for AU Summit, Italy-Africa Forum

Addis Ababa, February 13, 2026 (ENA)—Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have arrived in Addis Ababa to participate in the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.

President Hichilema touched down at Bole International Airport this afternoon, where he was warmly received by Minister of Mines Habtamu Tegegn and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye.

President Mohamud also arrived in the capital today and was welcomed at the airport by Minister of Revenues Aynalem Negussie alongside Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye.

The 39th AU Summit is convening under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

Addis Ababa is also hosting the Italy-Africa Summit today, marking the inaugural convening of this high-level forum on African soil.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is meeting with African leaders to discuss strategic collaboration in energy, infrastructure, and food security.

The forum further focuses on education and health initiatives, leveraging Italian technology to enhance agro-industrial value chains and strengthen human capital across the continent.

The simultaneous hosting of the AU and Italy-Africa summits highlights Addis Ababa’s role as Africa’s diplomatic capital and a key hub for shaping the continent’s future global partnerships.