CADHP Idrissa Sow: Urges Dialogue, Human Rights in African Conflicts

• Idrissa Sow, President of the CADHP, urged belligerents in African conflicts to prioritize dialogue and effective civilian protection during the 89th session in Dakar.
• He highlighted ongoing suffering and displacement in regions like Eastern DRC, CAR, Somalia, and cited Sudan's nearly 8 million internally displaced and 4 million who fled by April 2026.
• Sow stressed that counter-terrorism efforts cannot justify violations of fundamental human rights, reminding states of their obligations under international humanitarian law.
• Concerns were raised about renewed hostilities in Ethiopia, which threaten the country's peace process.
• The Dakar session gathers diverse stakeholders to discuss the promotion and protection of human rights across Africa.

He unequivocally stated that while the struggle against these threats is essential for public safety, it cannot create an exception to the universal principles of human rights.

Idrissa Sow, President of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (CADHP), issued a strong appeal on Monday in Dakar, urging all parties involved in conflicts across the continent to prioritize dialogue and ensure the effective safeguarding of civilian populations. Speaking at the commencement of the 89th ordinary session of the CADHP, which is being hosted in the Senegalese capital until Wednesday, Sow underscored the urgent need for belligerents to engage in peaceful negotiations and provide robust protection for those not involved in hostilities. This pivotal gathering, focusing on CADHP Idrissa Sow droits humains conflits, sets a clear agenda for addressing the continent's pressing humanitarian challenges.

The President highlighted that armed conflicts continue to inflict immense suffering across Africa. He specifically pointed to the dire situations in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and Somalia as examples where populations endure significant hardship. These ongoing crises, he noted, are not only causing widespread human misery but also exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and hindering development efforts.

A critical point emphasized by President Sow was that the imperative to combat terrorism and violent extremism must never serve as a pretext for infringing upon fundamental human rights. He unequivocally stated that while the struggle against these threats is essential for public safety, it cannot create an exception to the universal principles of human rights. This declaration reinforces the obligations États droits humains conflits even in the most challenging security environments.

Sow reminded African states of their fundamental duty to uphold human rights and maintain the rule of law, even when engaged in lutte antiterroriste droits fondamentaux. He further elaborated on the established norms of droit international humanitaire Afrique, which are specifically designed to protect civilians during armed conflicts. This includes ensuring unhindered access to aid for affected individuals and guaranteeing that their rights are respected throughout the duration of hostilities.

The humanitarian consequences of these conflicts are profound, leading to massive forced displacements and severely impeding access to essential services for affected communities. President Sow cited the devastating situation in Sudan, where nearly eight million people have been internally displaced, and an additional four million individuals had fled the country by April 2026, illustrating the catastrophic scale of human movement. Such figures underscore the critical need for enhanced protection civils conflits armés across the continent.

Furthermore, the CADHP expressed significant concern regarding the resurgence of hostilities in certain regions of Ethiopia. This development, according to Sow, poses a serious threat to the progress made in the country's peace process, potentially unraveling hard-won stability. The 89e session CADHP Dakar brings together a diverse array of stakeholders, including representatives from African human rights organizations, various organs and institutions of the African Union focused on human rights, diplomats, and technical and financial partners, all committed to advancing the promotion and protection of human and peoples' rights throughout Africa.

Lawyers advising African states, military entities, or humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones must ensure compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as the CADHP is actively monitoring and reiterating these obligations, even in counter-terrorism efforts. This signals continued scrutiny and potential for accountability regarding state actions in conflicts.

Source: Reporting on the African Commission's directives.