AU Under Fire as Conflicts Rage in Congo, Sudan, and Across Africa
As war, insecurity, and humanitarian disasters escalate across several African nations, the African Union (AU) is facing renewed criticism for what many see as silence and inaction. From the armed conflict in Sudan to the relentless instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citizens and analysts are questioning what exactly the AU has been doing while the continent burns.
A Young TikToker by stage name ‘Raise the voice Africa‘ he posed;
What have you been discussing for so long?
A Continent in Crisis
East Africa, Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, including women and children now facing famine and disease in refugee camps across the region. A number of kids have been killed by hunger.
All these happening while AU is in action. But that’s just a tip of an iceberg
In the DRC, fighting between government forces and M23 rebels in the eastern provinces continues to drive massive displacement. Ethnic tensions, armed militia groups, and cross-border influences from neighboring countries have complicated any attempt at sustainable peace.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s fragile post-war recovery, attacks by insurgents in the Sahel, ongoing violence in South Sudan, and coups in West Africa have only added to the urgency for continental leadership.
AU’s Silence and Diplomacy Behind Closed Doors
While the AU has publicly called for peace and dialogue in these hotspots, many argue that it has failed to follow up with meaningful action. Peacekeeping efforts are either absent or underfunded. Fact-finding missions and mediation attempts rarely go beyond preliminary meetings.
In February 2025, during the AU’s annual summit in Addis Ababa, leaders focused heavily on continental trade, youth employment, and digital transformation under Agenda 2063. While these topics are important, critics say the AU’s failure to prioritize security and peacebuilding shows a detachment from reality.
“The AU has become a club for heads of state to make lofty declarations, while conflicts persist,” said Dr. Ahmed Musoke, a regional analyst based in Kampala. “We see little urgency in responding to ongoing suffering in Sudan, Congo, and elsewhere.”
Calls for Reform and Action
Civil society groups and former diplomats have called for the AU to establish a more active conflict prevention and resolution arm with real enforcement capabilities. Proposals include:
🔵A rapid-response peacekeeping force
🔵Stronger sanctions against member states involved in civilian abuses
🔵Inclusion of civil society and opposition voices in AU mediation
🔵Transparent reporting on AU missions and progress
There are also growing calls for the AU to pressure external actors—such as foreign mercenaries, arms suppliers, and regional power brokers—to stop fueling African conflicts for economic and strategic gains.
What Lies Ahead
As Africa approaches another decade of promised development, many are asking how peace can be achieved when so many regions remain destabilized. While the AU’s vision for “African Solutions to African Problems” remains noble, its implementation appears shaky at best.
Unless bold steps are taken, the African Union risks becoming irrelevant to the very citizens it was created to serve—those crying out for peace, justice, and leadership in the face of unending violence.
