Human Rights Watch Calls on COMESA to Support Civilian Protection Mission in Sudan
Moatinoon Follow-up
Human Rights Watch urged African leaders today to prioritize human rights-focused solutions to the crises in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan during the 23rd COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) Summit, scheduled to take place in Bujumbura, Burundi, on October 31, 2024.
The organization called on summit participants to support the deployment of a mission across Sudan to protect civilians and address ongoing abuses. They also urged steps to end the atrocities in eastern Congo, committed by the M23 armed group, the Rwandan military, Congolese security forces, and allied militias, while promoting accountability.
“The COMESA Summit is a crucial opportunity for African leaders to address crises affecting the Congo, Sudan, and other regions and to chart clear, tangible pathways to protecting civilians,” said Carine Kaneza Nantulya, Deputy Africa Director at Human Rights Watch. She added, “Participants should also discuss how impunity has fueled abuses and the need to bring those responsible to justice to curb further atrocities.”
The summit marks the 30th anniversary of COMESA, Africa’s largest regional economic organization, which includes 21 member states, such as Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Sudan. During the summit, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye will assume the COMESA chairmanship from Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. The agenda focuses on economic integration, conflict prevention, and development, including discussions on peace, security, governance, and the conflicts in eastern Congo, Sudan, and other regions.
In Sudan, Human Rights Watch documented acts of ethnic cleansing against the Massalit and other non-Arab communities in El Geneina, West Darfur, by the RSF and allied militias, as well as summary executions of detainees by both sides and widespread sexual violence in Khartoum by the RSF. Both warring parties frequently use explosive weapons in populated areas, killing and injuring civilians; over 10 million people have been displaced, triggering the worlds worst internal displacement crisis.
One-quarter of Sudan’s population is at risk of famine, as all parties have deliberately obstructed or blocked aid access. The urgent need to protect civilians has been raised in several forums, including the African Union Peace and Security Council and the UN. However, no concrete steps have yet been taken to deploy a civilian protection mechanism or for the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to investigate the human rights situation in El Fasher and other areas of Darfur, following a request by the Peace and Security Council on June 14.
“African leaders attending the summit should publicly support the African Union Commissions investigation in coordination with the African Commission and call for urgent recommendations to the Peace and Security Council on practical measures to protect civilians,” the organization stated.
The summit was also urged to pressure Sudanese authorities, warring parties, and neighboring governments to cooperate with the African Commission’s joint fact-finding mission and the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan, whose mandate was recently renewed. Human Rights Watch said the summit should encourage Sudanese and Congolese authorities to fully cooperate with the AU Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities.
COMESA was founded in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Thirty years on, the continent continues to experience recurrent armed conflicts and deteriorating human rights conditions across various regions.
