During a high-level meeting in Geneva, the UN Human Rights Council heard updates on the deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), alongside troubling developments in South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR).
The human rights body has raised alarms over the escalating human rights crisis in the DRC, with reports of surging violence, mass displacement, and a sharp rise in conflict-related sexual violence.
Despite efforts to curb violence, armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, continue to seize control of key cities like Goma and Bukavu, displacing thousands. UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif highlighted a staggering 270% increase in reported cases of sexual violence since January, with violations committed by all parties involved in the conflict.
“Any plans for a sustainable peace must tackle the root causes of the conflict, including the illegal exploitation of the national wealth that lies in natural resources.”
UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif
The humanitarian situation is dire: nearly 26 million people face food insecurity, while over 7.8 million have been displaced across the country. In the eastern provinces, where armed groups battle national forces and allied militias, more than 1.6 million children are out of school.
South Sudan Faces Renewed Political Crackdown
Turning to South Sudan, Maarit Kohonen Sheriff, Director of the UN Human Rights Office’s Global Operations Division, described a “severe security, human rights, and humanitarian crisis.” Recent violent clashes in Upper Nile State and aerial bombardments have displaced civilians and destroyed critical infrastructure.
Arrests linked to political affiliations have fueled tensions, with members of the opposition group Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) reportedly detained without legal representation or external monitoring.
Sheriff expressed particular concern over the “house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar”, warning that such actions threaten the fragile power-sharing arrangement under the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Despite some positive steps, including the adoption of transitional justice laws and the establishment of a human rights defenders’ network in Unity State, civic space remains severely restricted. Reports indicate a “72% rise in conflict-related sexual violence” compared to the previous year.
Sheriff highlighted training initiatives for prosecutors and law enforcement to address sexual violence but stressed that without sufficient funding and international support, progress would be limited.
“Human rights technical cooperation efforts will only bear fruit if the parties in South Sudan recommit to the peace agreement,” she warned.
She urged the global community to continue supporting South Sudan’s nation-building efforts to prevent a relapse into civil war.
CAR Sees Fragile Gains Amid Continued Violence
The situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) also remains precarious, despite recent government efforts to strengthen human rights protections. Sheriff acknowledged positive steps, including new policies safeguarding human rights defenders, but stressed that violations persist across the country.
Armed groups, including the Azandé Ani Kpi Gbé militia in Haut-Oubangui, continue to commit atrocities, exacerbated by spillover violence from neighboring Sudan. Sheriff emphasized that an effective decentralization process is crucial for improving governance and called for inclusive local elections that prioritize youth and women’s participation.
Independent Expert Yao Agbetse echoed these concerns, urging CAR authorities to fully implement national reforms and ensure greater transparency in the justice system. While some progress has been made, he warned that “human rights abuses remain widespread”, particularly in regions under the control of armed factions.
CAR’s Justice Minister, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the judiciary and ensuring accountability. “The population is thirsty for justice,” he stated, emphasizing efforts to establish courts and upcoming local elections as steps toward national stability.
As violence continues across DRC, South Sudan, and CAR, UN officials stress that sustainable peace can only be achieved through strengthened governance, respect for human rights, and international cooperation.
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