DRC: The African Union faces the Congolese challenge, a crucial test for credibility and continental action
The 38th Ordinary Assembly of the African Union (AU) opened last Saturday in Addis Ababa, amidst major security, economic, and institutional challenges. As the effectiveness of the AU is increasingly criticized in the face of recurring crises in the Sahel, the Great Lakes region, and the Horn of Africa, the organization has appointed new leaders, including Djiboutian diplomat Mahamoud Ali Youssouf at the helm of the Commission and Angolan João Lourenço as the rotating president. Their mission: to revitalize African integration, consolidate peace, and promote economic development.
However, doubts persist regarding the AU’s ability to overcome its own limitations, notably its lack of responsiveness and the refusal of certain member states to respect its decisions. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf’s first credibility test will be the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the security situation is rapidly deteriorating. Armed groups are expanding their influence in the east of the country, while the Congolese army, plagued by corruption, struggles to protect the population. The AU can no longer rely solely on peacekeepers or international aid. It must fully assume its role as the guarantor of continental stability.
To achieve this, the AU could strengthen the African Standby Force and deploy it in Kivu, supporting the UN soldiers already on the ground. Simultaneously, it must restart mediation between the DRC and its neighbors, who are accused of supporting rebel groups. A pragmatic approach, including inclusive negotiations and certification of minerals to ensure fair exploitation, could ease tensions and prevent a regional conflagration.
Moreover, institutional reforms aimed at more transparent governance and better integration of marginalized communities are essential. By acting quickly, the AU could restore hope to the Congolese, especially the millions of displaced people and civilians trapped by violence. Massive humanitarian aid and easier access for humanitarian organizations in Kivu and Ituri are urgently needed.
After months of hesitation, the European Union has finally decided to sanction Rwanda, accused of fueling conflicts in the DRC. This support could strengthen the AU’s efforts. If the new leaders of the organization show determination, they could not only save the DRC but also restore the credibility and authority that the AU so desperately needs. Time is running out, and Africa can no longer afford inaction.
