The escalating conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo will dominate an African Union summit opening Saturday, with the DRC president absent after Rwandan-backed forces seized a second major city on his territory.

African leaders deliberate on state of peace and security, African Continental Free Trade Area, and institutional reforms to bloc, among other strategic matters - Anadolu Ajansı

The 38th African Union summit in Addis Ababa started with the election of commissioners, amid some confusion over the new rules adopted as part of AU institutional reform. The eastern DRC conflict and civil war in Sudan are high on the agenda,

The absence of the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the recent meeting has raised concerns. WATCH: DRC conflict | Discussion | DRC senator comments on South Africa's role The escalating violence in the eastern region of the DRC as the country fights a proxy war with Rwanda must have played a significant role in this decision.