Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), 13 January 2026 (SPS) – The proceedings of the 51st Ordinary Session of the African Union Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) opened Monday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, in preparation for the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council scheduled for 11–12 February, and the 39th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, set to take place on 14–15 February 2026.
In his opening remarks, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, highlighted the strategic importance of the upcoming summit, which will bring together African heads of state and government at a delicate juncture for the continent. He also emphasized that the theme of the 2026 summit, focusing on water as a vital resource for life, development, and sustainability, is both timely and forward-looking. The summit will build on the outcomes of the African Climate Summit held in September 2025 and pave the way for upcoming global climate milestones, notably COP30 scheduled to take place in Brazil.
For his part, H.E. Ambassador Professor Miguel Bembe, Angola’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Chair of the Permanent Representatives Committee, affirmed that the Committee constitutes a fundamental pillar of the African Union system and serves as a guardian of political and technical coherence.
The official opening ceremony of the 51st session was attended by the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Ms. Selma Malika Haddadi, AU Commissioners, representatives of African Union organs, as well as a number of officials.
The Sahrawi Republic was represented at this meeting by its Permanent Representative to the African Union and Ambassador to Ethiopia, Lamine Baali, accompanied by the Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Malainin Lekhal.
During this session, ambassadors are expected to examine the reports of the PRC subcommittees, the reports of the African Union Commission, as well as those of AU organs, institutions, and specialized agencies, prior to the adoption of the final report and draft decisions for the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council scheduled for 11 February 2026.
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