A dire situation unfolds in Africa, where escalating humanitarian crises demand our urgent attention. Tomorrow, the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) convenes to address this pressing issue, with a special briefing from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The PSC's 1307th session, led by Tebelelo Boang, Permanent Representative of Botswana, will focus on the continent's humanitarian challenges. Bankole Adeoye, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, will deliver a statement, followed by Dr. Gilles Carbonnier, ICRC Vice-President, who will provide critical insights.
A Continent in Crisis: Unveiling the Truth
Tomorrow's briefing promises an update on the evolving humanitarian situation across Africa. It will delve into country-specific assessments, with a keen focus on Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, and the Sahel region. Beyond highlighting ongoing crises, the session aims to uncover the underlying factors driving the worsening conditions.
The last ICRC briefing to the PSC, in October 2024, emphasized the need for adequate and flexible funding for humanitarian action in Africa. It also urged the AU Commission to address financial challenges and meet Africa's humanitarian needs.
Sudan: A Tale of Devastation and Despair
In Sudan, a devastating landslide in Tarasin, Central Darfur, claimed over 1000 lives in early September 2025. The region faces a compounded crisis, with famine gripping areas like El-Fasher and the Zamzam displacement camp. The Rapid Support Forces have trapped 260,000 civilians, including 130,000 children. The World Food Programme reports that 24.6 million people, half of Sudan's population, face acute food shortages, with 637,000 enduring catastrophic hunger levels. To make matters worse, Sudan is experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in years, with over 5000 cases of malaria, typhoid, and dengue fever reported in the capital in the past month.
South Sudan: A Rapidly Deteriorating Situation
South Sudan is grappling with a rapidly shifting political landscape and worsening humanitarian crises. As of September 2025, severe challenges, including flooding, food insecurity, violence, and disease outbreaks, continue to devastate communities. Floods have affected over 639,000 people across six states, with Jonglei and Unity being the hardest hit. Ongoing conflict in Upper Nile, Jonglei, Central Equatoria, and Western Equatoria has driven mass displacement, with 497,000 people newly displaced between January and September 2025. Recent clashes in Western Equatoria alone displaced tens of thousands. Multiple disease outbreaks, including cholera, anthrax, hepatitis E, and mpox, further strain communities.
DRC: Conflict and Natural Disasters Converge
The DRC is facing a complex humanitarian crisis driven by conflict and natural disasters, resulting in widespread internal displacement. As of September 2025, approximately 4.9 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were recorded, a slight decrease from August. Conflict, particularly in eastern provinces like North Kivu, accounts for most displacements, with the M23 armed group's advance triggering new and repeated displacements. Natural disasters, such as flooding, contribute to the remaining displacements. Repatriation efforts are showing progress, with 5.2 million IDP returnees recorded.
Sahel: Escalating Violence and Climate Shocks
In the Sahel region, escalating violence, armed conflict, and climate shocks have intensified a humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and devastating livelihoods. According to UNOCHA, 31.3 million people urgently need aid and protection in 2025. The region hosts 5.7 million IDPs and 2.4 million refugees. Funding shortages have forced humanitarian organizations to prioritize support for the most vulnerable, with only 18% of the required $4.9 billion secured. A cholera outbreak is spreading across West and Central Africa, with over 1,600 cases and 52 deaths reported in Nigeria. Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania remain at high risk.
Somalia: Drought and Displacement
In Somalia's northern and eastern regions, severe drought due to poor rainfall has worsened food insecurity, water scarcity, and pasture shortages, driving increased pastoralist migration. Nearly 142,000 people have been evicted from temporary shelters since January 2025, severely disrupting community stability. A diphtheria outbreak threatens children, with 2,109 suspected cases and 99 deaths reported between January and August 2025.
The Impact of Weapons and Digital Technologies
The discussion will address critical concerns regarding warfare methods, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA). Recent developments concerning the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention are particularly concerning, with some States considering withdrawal. The PSC's 1271st session in April 2025 reiterated the call for a continental mechanism for mine action and the importance of the EWIPA Political Declaration.
The rise of autonomous weapons, AI, surveillance systems, and combat drones in African conflicts is transforming warfare. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) applies to these technologies, setting limits to protect civilians and infrastructure from harm, including digital threats. Understanding their legal, ethical, and humanitarian implications is crucial.
The Global IHL Initiative: A Step Towards Progress
The ICRC recently launched the Global IHL Initiative in collaboration with six other states, including Brazil, China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and South Africa, to galvanize political commitment to IHL. With South Africa leading as a co-founder, the initiative prioritizes IHL politically and adapts it to the rapid evolution of modern warfare. Several African Member States have joined, and more are expected to participate, culminating in a High-Level Meeting in 2025 to promote humanity in conflict.
Expected Outcomes and Next Steps
The expected outcome of the session is a communiqué. The PSC may express concern over the escalating humanitarian crises across Africa, highlighting the combined impact of armed conflicts, violent extremism, climate-driven extreme weather, and epidemics. The Council may condemn attacks on humanitarian workers, medical facilities, civilians, and civilian infrastructure. It may also emphasize the importance of establishing, protecting, and expanding humanitarian space, especially in conflict-affected countries, including the protection of critical infrastructure. The PSC is expected to highlight the critical importance of ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict to address escalating crises. Practical measures to ensure civilian protection and unimpeded humanitarian access, including the protection of and access to schools and learning institutions, may be called upon by the Council.
