By Ajong Mbapndah L
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, was received at the Presidential Palace in Bujumbura by Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, ahead of a high-level African Union Summit on Ebola set to convene under President Ndayishimiye’s leadership.
The meeting comes at a critical moment as African leaders intensify efforts to coordinate a continental response to the evolving Ebola situation, while also advancing broader priorities related to peace, security, governance, and institutional reform.
President Ndayishimiye currently serves as Chairperson of the African Union and Chair of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union for 2026, having assumed the rotating leadership role following his election at the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa in February.
During the meeting, Chairperson Youssouf briefed President Ndayishimiye on the latest Ebola developments across the continent, drawing on assessments and epidemiological data provided by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. He also outlined ongoing response efforts by affected Member States and highlighted the solidarity demonstrated through support and contributions from African countries and international partners.
According to the African Union Commission, the discussions focused on strengthening continental preparedness and ensuring a coordinated response to public health emergencies that continue to threaten vulnerable populations across Africa.
The summit carries particular significance as it is being convened under President Ndayishimiye’s stewardship of the African Union. Since assuming the chairmanship, he has emphasized collective action, African solidarity, and stronger institutional coordination in addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges.
Beyond public health, the two leaders exchanged views on several strategic priorities of the Union. Central to their discussions was the ongoing African Union institutional reform process aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, and responsiveness of the continental body.
Chairperson Youssouf commended the leadership of William Ruto for advancing the AU reform agenda, which seeks to strengthen the Union’s capacity to deliver on its mandate and better serve African citizens.
The AU Commission Chair also provided a comprehensive briefing on ongoing peace, security, and mediation initiatives across the continent. The discussions covered efforts to address the conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, and the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as initiatives aimed at restoring constitutional order in countries across the Sahel region.
Youssouf expressed appreciation for President Ndayishimiye’s leadership and continued support for African Union efforts to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development across the continent.
“The Chairperson provided a comprehensive update on the AU’s peace, security, and mediation efforts, including initiatives to address the situations in Sudan, South Sudan, and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as efforts to support the restoration of constitutional order in the Sahel region,” the African Union Commission said in a statement following the meeting.
President Ndayishimiye, in turn, thanked the AU Commission Chair for the visit and the comprehensive briefing on the continent’s most pressing challenges.
He reaffirmed Burundi’s commitment to supporting the African Union’s reform agenda and welcomed ongoing efforts to strengthen peace, stability, public health preparedness, and regional cooperation.
“President Ndayishimiye thanked the Chairperson for his visit and for the comprehensive briefing on these critical issues. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the work of the AU on institutional reforms and welcomed efforts to promote peace, stability, and public health preparedness across the continent,” the Commission noted.
The Ebola Summit in Bujumbura is expected to bring together African leaders, health experts, policymakers, and development partners to strengthen continental coordination, mobilize resources, and reinforce collective action against one of Africa’s most persistent public health threats.
The gathering will also serve as a platform to underscore the importance of African solidarity and coordinated leadership at a time when the continent faces interconnected challenges ranging from health emergencies and conflict to governance reforms and economic resilience.
Under the leadership of President Ndayishimiye as Chairperson of the African Union and Chair of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the summit is expected to reaffirm Africa’s commitment to finding African-led solutions to African challenges while strengthening the institutions needed to deliver peace, security, and prosperity across the continent.
