African Union Summit 2025: New Chairperson Faces Urgent Call to Tackle Human Rights Crises

Amnesty International has urged the incoming chairperson and the AU to place human rights protection at the forefront of their agenda.

As African heads of state and government gather for the 38th African Union (AU) Summit on 15-16 February 2025, the election of a new AU Commission (AUC) chairperson takes center stage. Amnesty International has urged the incoming chairperson and the AU to place human rights protection at the forefront of their agenda.

The summit comes amid worsening conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan, where escalating violence has caused civilian casualties and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Additionally, long-standing conflicts in the Sahel and Somalia continue to devastate communities.

Japhet Biegon, Amnesty International’s Africa Advocacy Coordinator, emphasized the gravity of the situation:

“The incoming chairperson of the African Union Commission must prioritize human rights, ensuring that the AU responds decisively to protect civilians in armed conflicts and hold states accountable for repression of government critics.”

Biegon highlighted that the next chairperson will inherit a continent grappling with deepening human rights crises, including widespread crackdowns on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly recorded throughout 2024.

Amnesty International urged the new chairperson to leverage their statutory powers to pressure conflict parties to comply with international humanitarian and human rights laws.

“From day one, the new chairperson must consistently champion human rights, demand justice for victims, uphold the rule of law, and hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable,” Biegon stated.

The AU Summit 2025 is seen as a pivotal moment for the continental body to reaffirm its commitment to human rights, peace, and security across Africa.