05/22/2013

The AU must show more initiative towards human rights and the protection of civilians in a state of war

African Union celebrates 50th anniversary (May 25 / 26):

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the African Union (AU), the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) demands more commitment by the African Union regarding human rights and a better protection of civilians in a state of war. "The AU is still far from being a successful authority regarding the settlement of conflicts and the protection of the civilian population," said Ulrich Delius, the STP's Africa-expert, in Göttingen on Wednesday. "So far, this has been foiled by the special interests of the individual states, by considerations in favor of the partners, a lack of professionalism, lack of resources and indifference towards human rights issues." Thus, the AU and the Organization of African Unity were not able to prevent the violent deaths of more than ten million people in armed conflicts since the end of the colonial rule.

The European Union appreciates that the AU is striving for peace – and sees the association as a promising approach to resolve regional conflicts, "but the cooperative peacekeeping mission of the AU and the UN in the Darfur conflict in western Sudan since 2006 failed to protect the civilian population from further serious human rights violations and could neither stop the genocide," said Delius. More than two million Darfur refugees feel left alone by the AU. The UNAMID peacekeeping mission of the AU and the UN blames the inadequate mandate and a lack of resources for the failure. "However, the Darfur conflict has also shown that many parties are not taking the AU soldiers as seriously as the highly trained and well-equipped intervention troops sent by France or the United States."

More than three million people fell victim to the genocide in southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains of Sudan – and more than 500,000 people were killed in the genocide in Rwanda. The AU also failed in the struggle for lasting peace in the Congo. The special interests of the individual member states inhibited an effective involvement of the AU, resulting in the death of more than four million people. AU troops are also accused of bombing civilians and of human rights violations in Somalia.

"The difficult relationship between the AU and the International Criminal Court – and also the constant problems caused by AU chairmen who act as dictators in their countries and mock human rights – clearly show the difficulties the African state community faces regarding the protection of human rights."