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.

The 55-member organization is set to vote for a new chairperson, who will inherit challenges ranging from conflicts to crafting a continent-wide stance on climate change.

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.