In Addis Ababa, civil society organisations, youth groups, and policy communities are voicing cautious optimism over the new leadership of the African Union at the 39th AU Summit.

Their position aligns with a memorandum issued by a coalition led by the Open Society Foundations during the Assembly of Heads of State. The coalition is calling on the Union to prioritise accountability, democratic governance, and tangible reforms across member states.

Observers say the new AU Chairperson, Évariste Ndayishimiye, must go beyond declarations and translate commitments into concrete action to address Africa’s political, economic, and security challenges.

Desire Assogbavi, Africa Advisor at the Open Society Foundations, emphasised that the continent’s citizens expect measurable progress, not just renewed promises.