Sudan war eclipses AU summit agenda as external powers take lead

African leaders' summit

African heads of state and delegates attend the opening of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15, 2025.

Photo credit: Reuters

Sudan’s war has become the African Union’s most stubborn agenda item, refusing to leave the in-tray of leaders gathering in Addis Ababa this week.

As the AU seeks to champion long-term priorities such as water security and sustainable development, the conflict continues to overshadow continental goals, exposing Africa’s limited leverage and the growing influence of external powers.