The African Union (AU) summit, which kicked off on Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is dominated by the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The 55-nation body is gathering amidst devastating conflicts in the DRC and Sudan, as well as US President Donald Trump’s cuts to US development aid, which have severely impacted the continent.
The DRC president, Felix Tshisekedi, is notably absent from the summit, following the seizure of a second major city by Rwandan-backed forces. Tshisekedi has urged nations to “blacklist” Rwanda, condemning its “expansionist ambitions”. The Rwandan-backed armed group M23 has captured key cities, including Goma and Bukavu, with Rwanda denying involvement but accusing extremist Hutu groups in the DRC of threatening its security.
The AU has faced criticism for its timid approach to the conflict, with observers demanding more decisive action. The outgoing AU chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has called for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, but fresh fighting erupted on Tuesday.
The summit will also address the selection of a new AU chairman, with three candidates vying for the position: Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Kenyan opposition veteran Raila Odinga, and Madagascar’s ex-foreign minister Richard Randriamandrato.
In a related development, the United Arab Emirates has pledged over $200 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan, which is grappling with civil war.
