African Union Summit: Amnesty International Urges New Leadership to Prioritize Human Rights

As African heads of state gather for the 38th African Union (AU) Summit on February 15 and 16, Amnesty International is calling on the incoming chairperson and AU leadership to prioritize human rights. The summit occurs against the backdrop of escalating conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan, where intensified fighting has resulted in significant civilian casualties and left hundreds of thousands in dire conditions.

Japhet Biegon, Africa Advocacy Coordinator at Amnesty International, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The new chairperson will join the AU at a watershed moment, inheriting an in-tray full of deepening human rights crises across the continent.” He urged the next chairperson to place human rights at the core of the AU’s agenda, advocating for the protection of civilians in armed conflicts and opposing the repression of government critics.

Throughout 2024, Amnesty International documented systematic human rights violations across Africa, including crackdowns on free expression and peaceful assembly. Biegon stressed that the new chairperson must act swiftly, leveraging their authority to hold conflicting parties accountable to international humanitarian and human rights laws. He called for a firm commitment to justice for victims and the rule of law from the outset of their tenure