Friday 13 Feb 2026 {HMC} African leaders are seeking answers to tough questions as they gather in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, to kick off in Addis Ababa from 14 to 15 February 2026.

This summit at the AU headquarters comes at a difficult time for the continent and its leaders.

Before the heads of state and government’s discussions, their foreign ministers had held talks on various issues, including security, economy, and diplomacy.

As the African leaders meet, the shadow of US President Donald Trump and his administration’s radical policies looms large.

These include immigration crackdown, foreign aid cuts, and America’s unsettling involvement in issues across Africa.

Trump’s travel ban

Twenty-six African countries, representing about half of the continent, are under Trump’s total or partial travel ban, which took effect in January.

Similarly, his administration’s scrapping of foreign aid for humanitarian and health services has hit African countries.

It is now replacing health programmes previously implemented by USAID with new multi-billion-dollar transactional deals with individual countries, some giving the US greater access to critical minerals in Africa.

The Trump administration has also imposed hefty tariffs on many African countries, as part of its global sweeping economic policy, and has been involved in a diplomatic row with Nigeria and South Africa, the continent’s leading economies, on issues relating to foreign policy and domestic security challenges.

The two African powerhouses are now trying to navigate the delicate relationships with the US.

Devastating conflicts

Away from the Trump effect, the African leaders in Ethiopia are also seeking solutions to devastating conflicts on the continent, including in the DRC and Sudan.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mohamoud Ali Youssef, has hailed a recent ceasefire mechanism between the DRC government and rebel groups as a “significant confidence-building measure’’ and expressed optimism that the war in Sudan will be resolved.

The African Union has also urged the revocation of Israel’s recent unilateral recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, calling it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Another key issue on the leaders’ plate is climate change – which the UN says affects Africa disproportionately, despite the continent being responsible for just about 3% of the problem.

SOURCE:TRT Afrika English

Friday 13 Feb 2026 {HMC} The Minister of Education, Culture, and Higher Education of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, received a high-level delegation from the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in Mogadishu on Friday.

The visiting diplomatic mission was led by the Director-General of the organization, Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar.

The meeting served as a strategic platform for the two leaders to discuss the advancement of Somalia’s academic and cultural sectors.

Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir and Director-General Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar engaged in a comprehensive dialogue focused on elevating the quality of education throughout the country.

They explored various avenues for cooperation, including curriculum development, teacher training, and the revitalization of cultural heritage sites.

The visit by the Arab League delegation is designed to provide a firsthand assessment of the current educational landscape in Somalia.

The primary objective is to establish a robust framework for long-term partnership between the Federal Ministry and the Arab League.

This collaboration aims to facilitate the exchange of technical expertise and resources, ensuring that Somalia’s educational institutions are aligned with regional standards and capable of meeting the developmental needs of the nation.

Both parties expressed a strong commitment to deepening the relationship between Mogadishu and the Arab League’s specialized agencies.

The discussions highlighted the importance of integrating scientific research and cultural preservation into the national recovery agenda, reinforcing Somalia’s position within the broader Arab academic community.

Friday 13 Feb 2026 {HMC} The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, participated in the high-level 2nd Italy-Africa Summit on Friday.

Hosted by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the gathering brought together African leaders and Italian officials to redefine the strategic partnership between the continent and the European nation.

The summit centered on intensifying collaborative efforts and fostering robust economic and strategic relations between Italy and African nations.

Leaders engaged in comprehensive dialogues aimed at unlocking new opportunities in critical sectors.

The discussions prioritized trade facilitation, foreign direct investment, and energy security, positioning them as the cornerstones of this renewed cooperation.

Furthermore, the delegates addressed the urgent need for development in infrastructure and agriculture, recognizing these areas as essential for sustainable growth.

Innovation was also highlighted as a key driver for future economic integration, with both sides exploring mechanisms to transfer technology and modernize local industries.

Friday13 Feb 2026 {HMC}  — The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Abdisalam Ali, presided over the Sixth High-Level Ministerial Meeting of the A3 on Friday in Addis Ababa. Acting in his capacity as the Coordinator of the A3 group, the Minister convened the session on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union to strategize on bolstering the continent’s influence within the United Nations Security Council.

The strategic dialogue brought together a high-level cohort of diplomats, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Noëlla Ayeganagato Nakwipone. They were joined by the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, alongside the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, Ambassador Mohamed Fathi Edrees.

During the discussions, the Ministers reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing African priorities on the global stage. The leaders highlighted the urgent necessity of deepening the coordination and coherence between the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the A3. This alignment is viewed as essential for unifying Africa’s voice and maximizing its strategic impact on resolutions and debates within the UN Security Council.

Facing a backdrop of growing uncertainty in the international system, the meeting concluded with a strong call for African unity grounded in a clear strategic vision. The Ministers agreed on the importance of principled engagement to navigate complex geopolitical shifts while staunchly upholding and strengthening the tenets of multilateralism to protect the interests of the continent.

Source Sonna

Friday13 Feb 2026 {HMC} The African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) issued a strong condemnation on Thursday regarding Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland administration, declaring the move null and void under international law. The Council emphasized that no entity possesses the authority to alter the established territorial framework of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

In a communiqué released from the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Council firmly reaffirmed the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia. The body demanded an immediate reversal of the recognition decision announced in December 2025. The African Union highlighted that Somalia’s borders are inviolable, explicitly rejecting the independent status of the Somaliland administration and reiterating its unwavering support for the full sovereignty of the Federal Government of Somalia.

On the security front, the Council welcomed the significant gains achieved in the ongoing offensive against Al-Shabaab terrorist groups. The statement encouraged Somali security forces and international partners to intensify operations aimed at eradicating the Kharijites. Furthermore, the communiqué noted the importance of regional administrations continuing their respective roles in the fight against Al-Shabaab to ensure comprehensive national stability.

Israel remains the only nation to have extended recognition to Somaliland, a move that has sparked widespread criticism across the Horn of Africa and the international community. The African Union’s stance reinforces the global consensus on Somalia’s unity and serves as a definitive rejection of unilateral actions that threaten regional stability

Source Sonna