Africa Summit: Tackling rights crises in DR Congo, Sudan

(Nairobi) – African leaders must prioritize rights-based solutions to the crises in the east Democratic Republic of Congo And Sudan during the 23rd Summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), scheduled in Bujumbura, Burundi, on October 31, 2024, Human Rights Watch said today.

Summit participants should discuss steps to end atrocities in eastern Congo by the armed group M23, the Rwandan army, Congolese security forces and allied militias, and promote accountability. They should also support the deployment of a Sudan-wide mission to protect civilians and address ongoing atrocities.

“The COMESA Summit is a crucial opportunity for African leaders to address the crises affecting Congo, Sudan and elsewhere in the region and formulate clear, concrete pathways to protect civilians,” said Carine Kaneza NantulyaDeputy Africa Director at Human Rights Watch. “Participants should also discuss how impunity has fueled abuses, and the need to bring those responsible to justice to quell further atrocities.”

The meeting marks the 30th anniversary of COMESA, the largest regional economic organization in Africa, with 21 member states, including BurundiDR Congo, Ethiopia, Rwandaand Sudan. At the summit, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye will do so take over the chairmanship of COMESA from President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia. The objectives of COMESA are to strengthen economic integration, prevent conflictsand promote development. Are agenda as the summit will include discussions on peace, security and governance, and the conflicts in eastern Congo, Sudan and elsewhere in the region.

In Congo, the Rwandan-backed armed group M23 has done just that involved numerous abuses, including murders of civilians, gang rape, looting and destruction of property. In 2024 the Rwandan army and the M23 without distinction displaced persons camps were shelled and other densely populated areas near Goma, North Kivu. The Congolese army and allied militias increased the risk to displaced persons by deploying heavy artillery near the camps. Congolese soldiers and allied fighters, including a coalition of violent militias known as ‘Wazalendo’ (‘patriots’ in Swahili), committed murder, rape and other sexual violence, and arbitrarily detained displaced persons.

This is evident from a recent ruling by the International Criminal Court (ICC). announcement That it would step up its investigative efforts in Congo by focusing on crimes committed in North Kivu province since January 2022 will increase the chances of justice for the victims, Human Rights Watch said. The renewed research could provide an opportunity to address the widespread lack of accountability fueling serious abuses in North Kivu, Ituriand elsewhere in Congo. COMESA leaders should discuss how to best support the ICC investigation.

Leaders at the summit should also examine the role other countries are playing in the region Uganda and Burundi, recently discussed by the United Nations Group of Experts on Congo named. They should call on the Rwandan and Congolese governments, and neighboring countries, to end their military support for violent armed groups, including the M23 and Wazalendo, and to investigate and appropriately prosecute commanders responsible for serious abuses.

In Sudan, Human Rights Watch has documented the events ethnic cleansing against the Massalit and other non-Arab populations in El Geneina in West Darfur by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias, summary executions of prisoners by both sides, and widespread sexual violence in Khartoum by the RSF. Both warring sides repeatedly use explosive weapons in populated areas, killing and maiming civilians; and more than 10 million people have fled their homes the world’s worst internal displacement crisis.

A quarter of Sudanese are facing famine, as is the case with all parties disrupted or blocked assistance. The urgent need to protect citizens has been raised in various forums, including at Congress African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN. But tangible steps Action remains to be taken to deploy a civilian protection mechanism or to have the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) investigate the human rights situation in El Fasher and other areas of Darfur following the statements of the PVC. request on June 14.

African leaders attending the summit must express public support for the African Union Commission’s investigation coordination with the ACHPR, and calling for the urgent development of recommendations to the PSC on practical measures to protect the civilian population.

The summit should encourage Sudanese authorities, warring parties and neighboring countries to work together with those of the African Commission joint fact-finding mission and the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, whose mandate has recently been extended. They should also encourage both Sudanese and Congolese authorities to fully cooperate with the AU Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities, Human Rights Watch said.

COMESA was founded in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Thirty years later, the continent is the scene of recurring armed conflicts and deteriorating human rights situations in all regions.

At the summit, African leaders should also address ongoing human rights abuses in other member states, such as Ethiopia, where a devastating two-year armed conflict in the country’s north has led to numerous atrocities. including crimes against humanity. Government forces commit abuses with impunity, especially in the Amhara region and other conflict-affected areas. Human Rights Watch has documented widespread human rights violations laws of war in Amhara, including mass murdersthe government is clear use of drones against civiliansAnd attacks on first responders and healthcare institutionsAnd refugees.

At the site of the summit in Burundi, civil society groups and independent media are unable to function effectively. Journalists and human rights defenders work under the threat of arrest, prosecution and imprisonment. As part of being commitment to strengthening civil society and the media, COMESA must strengthen the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly as pillars of any stable democracy.

“COMESA’s fundamental values ​​include the promotion and protection of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the recognition and observance of the rule of law,” Kaneza Nantulya said. “Now more than ever, African leaders must make these values ​​a reality for all Africans.”