Africa must not be a battleground for competing interests but rather a partner of choice guided by principles, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.

This was the clarion call from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during her maiden address to the 39th Ordinary Summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

She said the African Union must serve as a platform for collective action, adding that through the AU Agenda 2063, leaders must firmly position Africa in a rapidly changing world.

This would secure economic independence, technological sovereignty, and control over natural resources, she said.

The Namibian leader reminded the summit that it was convened at a time of heightened global tension and fragmentation, escalating conflicts, deepening debt distress and a growing climate crisis.

Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that multilateralism, the very system meant to give a voice to all nations, big and small, is under attack.

The President noted that old alliances are being tested, adding, "New power centres are emerging. Once again, the winds of change are sweeping, this time across the world."

Addressing the summit’s theme, Nandi-Ndaitwah said it was befitting the current state of climate change the world is experiencing, particularly in Africa.

‘’Therefore, we should work closely with one another, as water availability contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability on the continent,’’ she said.