The Latest Breaking News from the African Union

African heads of state are gathering for their annual summit in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa this weekend, with escalating conflict in the DRC, the war and resulting humanitarian crisis in Sudan and cuts to aid from the US dominating the agenda.

The crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) escalated at the end of January 2025 when Goma, the capital of the province of North Kivu, fell to Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.

Zimbabwe hasn’t executed anyone who was sentenced to death since 2005. With the passing of the Death Penalty Abolition Act 2024 on 31 December, Zimbabwe has become the 127th country in the world to end death penalty.

African Union chairperson candidates outline plans for regional security, trade, and reforms in Addis Ababa debate.

The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has congratulated the military-led government of Gabon on a successful constitutional referendum. General Brice Oligui Nguema came to power through a coup d’etat in 2023.

It’s a chance to redeem his legacy in Africa, say experts. But it won’t be easy.

The G20 Leaders’ Summit takes place on November 18 and 19, in Rio de Janeiro, with the presence of leaders of the member countries, plus the African Union and the European Union. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, will not attend. Putin faces arrest if he travels abroad on a warrant…

At least 11 people have died in a police crackdown on post-election protests following disputed October 9 polls.

Egypt recently deepened its involvement in the war-weary Horn of Africa by arming Somalia and deploying its troops in the embattled country. To Ethiopia’s growing alarm, Egypt is also set to join the multinational force supporting the Somali army against the jihadist threat by al-Shabaab. Egypt’s potentially destabilising presence in…