The African Union (AU) summit opened on Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, amid rising tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have seized yet another major city. The ongoing crisis has cast a shadow over the summit, with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi absent as he monitors developments from home.
The 55-nation AU, representing approximately 1.5 billion people, has often been criticized for its slow response to conflicts. This summit is no exception, with observers calling for more decisive action in addressing the deteriorating situation in the DRC. While regional leaders from East and southern Africa had previously demanded an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, fighting has only escalated since.
Outgoing AU Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat reiterated the need for the ceasefire to be respected, stating that African nations are mobilizing to address the crisis. The AU’s Peace and Security Council met late into Friday night to deliberate on the conflict, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres is set to address the summit on Saturday.
The absence of both Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Tshisekedi at the summit underscores the deep divisions in the region. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Tshisekedi called for international sanctions against Rwanda, accusing it of expansionist ambitions. Meanwhile, the M23 rebels continue to advance, having captured the provincial capital of Goma last month before seizing Bukavu on Friday.
Many analysts argue that the AU has been largely ineffective in dealing with the DRC crisis. Thierry Vircoulon of the French International Relations Institute (IFRI) remarked that the AU is merely “playing the spectator.” Richard Moncrieff, Great Lakes Project Director at the International Crisis Group, echoed this sentiment, noting that Kagame appears undeterred in his military strategy, with some African leaders unwilling to challenge him directly.
Amidst these tensions, Angola’s President João Lourenço is set to assume the AU’s rotating presidency for the next year, having spent years unsuccessfully mediating between Rwanda and the DRC. Additionally, a new AU Commission Chairperson will be elected on Sunday, with Kenya’s Raila Odinga, Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato vying for the top role.
While conflict dominates discussions, other key issues remain on the agenda, including reparations for slavery and the economic impact of U.S. aid cuts under the previous administration. Additionally, the UAE has pledged over $200 million in humanitarian aid for Sudan, which remains engulfed in civil war.
With the DRC conflict escalating and the AU facing scrutiny over its response, the summit’s outcome will be closely watched by both African citizens and the global community.
