Congo’s president faces challenging AU chairmanship

Significance

The appointment is a major coup for a president who is committed to building his diplomatic credentials, but comes at a very turbulent time in both African and Congolese affairs.

Impacts

• The political situation in DRC could yet deteriorate into another crisis, undermining Tshisekedi’s continental role.
• As a peace deal guarantor, the AU faces pressure to address the Central African Republic’s new conflict, but solutions may not prove easy.
• The African Continental Free Trade Area is a top priority but the technical challenges offer little scope for strategic leadership.
• Given the question marks over his own election, Tshisekedi is poorly placed to act forcefully on issues related to undemocratic practices.