The recent summit of the African Union (AU) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, shed light on the continent's vulnerabilities amid external interferences by major powers. During this meeting, the African leaders elected Évariste Ndayishimiye from Burundi as the new president of the AU, emphasizing the critical need to resolve ongoing conflicts that plague various regions, including Somalia, the Sahel, Sudan, Congo, Nigeria, and South Sudan. Despite the significance of these discussions, the summit highlighted challenges rather than concrete solutions to Africa's systemic issues.

One of the recurring themes during the summit was the call for greater continental unity and responsiveness to the external influences from countries such as China, Russia, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. These nations often engage in interventions that can destabilize regional governance and exacerbate existing conflicts. The remarks made by various African leaders pointed to the pressing need for a unified stance and strategies to counteract the socio-political instability that many African nations experience due to external pressures and internal turmoil.

Despite the hopes for enhanced cooperation and integrated approaches to tackle these vulnerabilities, the African Union’s economic dependence raises concerns about its ability to function independently in addressing these challenges. As the AU works towards fostering greater integration within Africa, the summit underscored the urgent necessity for cooperative strategies to combat not only internal conflicts but also the geopolitical maneuvers of powerful nations that threaten the continent's stability and future prospects.