Africa
General Situation
As in the rest of the world, most of the conflicts affecting the African continent are non-international, pitting State forces against armed non-State actors (NSAs), or involving only NSAs. A number of peace agreements have been concluded, but several countries in the continent continue to be affected by armed conflict.
In many of these conflict situations, violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law are widespread, including indiscriminate use of landmines, the prevalence of rape and other forms of sexual violence, and the recruitment and use of children as soldiers.
Since 2000, Geneva Call has made significant headway in Africa, where 20 NSAs have signed the Deed of Commitment banning anti-personnel (AP) mines. As a result, AP mine use has decreased, stockpiles are being destroyed and mine action activities have expanded in areas under the control of signatory NSAs. Geneva Call currently works in Niger, Senegal, Somalia and Western Sahara, where it supports and monitors implementation of the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines and continues to engage additional NSAs in an AP mine ban. The successful peace processes in Burundi and Sudan enabled Geneva Call to end its programmes in those countries.
With a view to expanding its work to other humanitarian and human rights norms, Geneva Call is undertaking preliminary consultations with NSAs and other key stakeholders on the protection of children and women in Africa. |
