Addis Ababa, 11 February 2026 – Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 48th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council, held ahead of the 39th African Union Summit scheduled for 14–15 February 2026.

This year’s Summit is held under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

The Council is one of the African Union’s principal policy organs, composed of ministers of foreign affairs or other designated ministers of AU member states, responsible for coordinating and taking decisions on policies in areas of common interest, among others.

On the sidelines of the 48th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council, Minister Nduhungirehe held several bilateral engagements with counterparts and partners. He met with Gedion Timothewos of Ethiopia, where discussions focused on strengthening the strong partnership between the two countries and exchanging views on developments in their respective regions and other areas of mutual interest.

He met with Simeón Oyono Esono Angüe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Equatorial Guinea. They exchanged on regional cooperation and explored ways to further strengthen bilateral ties between Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea.

He also held a meeting with with Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Gambia. Their discussion focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and economic partnership.

In addition, Minister Nduhungirehe  met with Mohamed Ali Nafti, Tunisia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, including in areas of education, innovation, trade and investment.

The Minister met with Germany’s Special Envoy to the AU Summit, Amb. Sabine Sparwasser. They exchanged views on issues of bilateral and multilateral interest.

Minister Nduhungirehe also met with Herbert Scheibner, Austria’s Special Envoy to the AU Summit. They exchanged on advancing bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Austria.

While in Addis Ababa, Minister Nduhungirehe participated in a High-Level Breakfast Consultation on the future of the United Nations and the election of the next Secretary-General, chaired by H.E. Joseph Boakai, President of the Liberia.

In his remarks he noted that: “Africa should not approach this process as a bloc seeking endorsement or favor. We should approach it as a strategic actor shaping the future of global governance.”

In Addis Ababa, Minister Nduhungirehe also attended a breakfast meeting of Foreign Ministers of Member States party to the Nile River Basin Cooperation Framework Agreement (CFA).