All eyes are on Burundi ’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the newly elected chairperson of the African Union for 2026. As he steps into one of Africa 's most influential roles, the challenges ahead are considerable. The continent faces ongoing conflict in Sudan , instability stretching across the Sahel, and violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo . Terrorism continues to threaten the Horn of Africa.  There has also been a resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government. Coups