AU pledges to silence guns, but which ones?

The 39th Summit of the African Union (AU) concluded yesterday in Addis Ababa. Leaders voiced concern over the persistence of armed conflicts, the spread of terrorism, and what they described as “unconstitutional changes of government” across the continent. In its final communiqué, the Assembly reaffirmed the Union’s long-standing “zero tolerance” policy toward unconstitutional changes of government. It reiterated, with urgency, its determination to “silence the guns” in Africa, a pledge that has become a rallying cry for the bloc. Leaders underlines the need for “predictable, sustainable, and flexible financing for AU-led peace support operations.”

Institutional reform also featured prominently in the statement. The Assembly reviewed progress on AU reforms and restated its commitment to building a “people-centred, efficient, accountable and financially sustainable Union.” On the global stage, the Summit reaffirmed “Africa’s Common Position” on reform of the United Nations Security Council, renewing calls for “equitable African representation in global governance institutions.” The message was clear: Africa must have a stronger voice in shaping decisions that affect its future.

The communiqué further stressed the importance of coordinated African positions in advancing shared continental priorities including “sustainable development financing, comprehensive debt restructuring, climate action, food security, and digital transformation.”

Among the most striking elements of the communiqué was a renewed focus on “historical justice.” The Assembly announced that it is considering a “study examining the implications of” designating colonisation as a “crime against humanity,” and certain acts committed during “slavery, deportation, and colonisation as genocide against the peoples of Africa.”

The bloc also considered the “Report of the Commission on the Situation in Palestine,” reiterating the AU’s solidarity with the Palestinian people. In doing so, leaders aligned the Union’s external posture with its broader principles of self-determination, human rights, and international law.

During the final press briefing, African Union Commission Chairperson Mohamoud Ali Youssouf addressed the media alongside the incoming AU Chair. Youssouf spoke of what he described as a “new momentum” within the organisation, pointing to a renewed sense of unity and purpose among member states. He said this momentum was reflected in a stronger commitment to tackling strategic challenges, including peace and security, economic development and deeper political cooperation.

He also reaffirmed Africa’s longstanding demand for “permanent representation” on the United Nations Security Council, arguing that the continent deserves a stronger voice in global decision-making. Addressing the situation in Palestine, Youssouf reiterated the Union’s support for the rights of the Palestinian people and called for a just and lasting solution in line with international law.

The Chairperson also commented on the crisis in the Sahel region, describing the “proliferation of terrorist groups, human traffickers and secessionist rebellions’ as a “source of deep concern.”

However, much of the official statement and subsequent press briefing appeared to overlook the broader and intensifying security crises across the continent, as well as the growing regionalisation of several conflicts. While a number of crises were briefly referenced, there was limited evidence of sustained engagement with the scale of instability affecting multiple regions.

Sudan was among the few conflicts mentioned, but it received little substantive attention despite its gravity. The country’s prolonged war has become one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Millions have been displaced internally and across borders, civilian infrastructure has been devastated, and reported external involvement has further complicated prospects for resolution. Widespread abuses against civilians have been documented, and a recent United Nations report concluded that crimes against humanity have been committed. Large parts of the population face acute food insecurity, with consequences that extend beyond Sudan’s borders. Despite these realities, the crisis featured only marginally in summit discussions.

Similarly, escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo received only passing reference. Renewed fighting has resulted in fatalities and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Longstanding regional rivalries, the proliferation of armed groups and allegations of foreign involvement have undermined fragile ceasefire efforts. The deteriorating security situation threatens not only Congolese stability but also broader security in the Great Lakes region. Yet the summit offered little clarity on coordinated continental responses mechanisms.

Rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea were also not substantively addressed. Ethiopia’s fragile peace arrangement following the devastating Tigray conflict remains under strain, with reports of troop mobilisations and clashes heightening fears of renewed violence. The previous war claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, according to various estimates, and was marked by documented atrocities and widespread humanitarian suffering. Any relapse into large-scale hostilities would likely have catastrophic consequences. Nevertheless, the developing situation was largely absent from the briefing’s core discussions.

In sum, the limited engagement with these crises raises questions about the summit’s prioritisation of the continent’s most urgent security challenges. At a time when multiple conflicts risk escalation and regional spillover, the absence of detailed deliberation on these flashpoints stands out. The African Union has long faced scrutiny over the effectiveness of its conflict resolution mechanisms. The lack of substantive engagement with escalating crises may further intensify concerns about the bloc’s ability to respond decisively to instability across the continent.