HRW Report: Governments and Armed Groups Escalate Violations in Africa

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has published a report detailing the alarming rise in human rights abuses across Africa, with a focus on Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In Sudan, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced over 12 million people, obliterating vital infrastructure and hampering humanitarian aid efforts. HRW Africa Division head Mausi Segun noted the lack of pressure on conflict parties to mitigate civilian harm.

Ethiopia’s Amhara region has also suffered severe abuses, with HRW documenting attacks by government forces on medical professionals and health facilities, disrupting healthcare and endangering civilian lives. Meanwhile, in the DRC, armed groups have perpetrated killings, sexual violence, and assaults on displaced persons’ camps, exacerbating suffering and displacement. The DRC government has accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, a claim Rwanda refutes.

In West Africa, military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have enacted harsh crackdowns on dissent, severely limiting freedom of expression and assembly. Protests are being suppressed, and rights advocates face persecution. Southern Africa grapples with its own issues, as Mozambique witnesses post-election violence leading to hundreds of deaths, alongside rising physical and mental health problems among its population.

Despite these challenges, HRW highlights the resilience of African citizens, many of whom are mobilizing through social media and public demonstrations to call for an end to autocratic governance and human rights violations. Their activism aims for improved governance and accountability, showcasing a persistent demand for change amid widespread adversity.