The “Africa Hak” newsletter releases its first quarterly report for 2026, providing systematic documentation and a comprehensive review of the human rights situation across the African continent during the period from January 1 to March 31.
Human rights monitoring for this quarter reveals critical intersections between armed conflicts and the state of civic space, which has produced severe repercussions on the enjoyment of fundamental rights. At the level of regional mechanisms, the first quarter marked a historic milestone in the path of transitional justice; the 39th African Union Summit adopted the “Algiers Declaration” on February 15, 2026, officially classifying colonialism and slavery as crimes against humanity, announcing the launch of the “African Union Decade of Reparations 2026-2035,” and designating November 30 as an African day to commemorate the victims.
In the context of armed conflicts, international mechanisms documented an escalation in grave violations of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and precaution. In Sudan, the UN Fact-Finding Mission concluded the presence of “hallmarks of genocide” in North Darfur State, accompanied by the systematic targeting of persons with disabilities. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the frequency of drone attacks escalated in densely populated areas, resulting in civilian casualties and hindering humanitarian relief access, including the killing of a UN aid worker in March.
At the level of civil and political rights, the monitoring of electoral cycles and their aftermaths in Uganda and Tanzania showed an increasing pattern of restrictive measures on civic space, including the suspension of non-governmental human rights organizations and restrictions on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. Regarding economic, social, and cultural rights, large-scale forced evictions in Lagos, Nigeria, posed a severe challenge to the right to adequate housing, amid UN warnings that they amount to “domicide.”

Armed Conflicts, International Humanitarian Law, and the Protection of Civilians
UN reports indicate an alarming escalation in the English use of military aerial technologies (such as drones) in asymmetrical conflict contexts, resulting in explicit violations of civilians’ right to life and physical security. In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the destruction of vital civilian infrastructure was documented, obstructing humanitarian aid and exposing the most vulnerable groups to the risk of famine and medical supply shortages. A disturbing pattern also emerged represented by “domicide” through the comprehensive destruction of the elements of life in urban contexts under the pretext of development or safety, as in Nigeria, violating Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Civic Space and Political Rights during Electoral Cycles
Electoral periods in some East African countries witnessed the activation of security legislation and the regulation of digital space as tools to restrict independent civil monitoring. Reports documented the administrative suspension of civil society and human rights organizations, the activation of military trials for civilians, and the imposition of strict censorship on the media, representing a regression in states’ obligations under Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

Economic and Social Rights: Land Tenure and the Right to Food
The report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food emphasized the structural link between the concentration of land ownership, forced displacement, and food insecurity, pointing to the impact on the customary tenure systems of indigenous peoples. These conclusions intersected with the monitoring of continued forced evictions in Tanzania and the exploitation of mineral resources in conflict zones in the DRC, deepening economic violations related to livelihoods.

Historical Justice and the Rights of People of African Descent
The adoption of the “Algiers Declaration” by the African Union constitutes a crucial development in the continental human rights system. The legal characterization of colonialism and slavery as crimes against humanity obliges the international community to transition from moral recognition to the institutionalization of reparation mechanisms, in parallel with the African Commission’s efforts to enhance the integration of communities of African descent and facilitate their right of return.

1. Republic of Sudan
As the armed conflict crossed the 1,000-day mark in January 2026, forced displacement rates continued to rise, exceeding 12 million people, amid documented reports of widespread violations of international humanitarian law by both parties to the conflict.

El Fasher Violations and Fact-Finding Reports:
On February 19, 2026, the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission issued its report documenting the occurrence of violations amounting to “hallmarks of genocide,” war crimes, and crimes against humanity during the Rapid Support Forces’ siege of the city of El Fasher. The report, supported by satellite evidence, indicated the presence of “specific criminal intent” to destroy specific ethnic communities (the Zaghawa and Fur), and documented the transformation of civilian facilities such as universities and hospitals into mass killing sites, prompting approximately 100,000 civilians to flee.

Targeting of Persons with Disabilities:
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights condemned on March 23, 2026, the violations directed against persons with disabilities in El Fasher. The Commission documented cases of extrajudicial executions, the confiscation of mobility aids, and degrading treatment, in direct violation of Article 18(4) of the African Charter and the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Key Documented Violations in El Fasher:
Legal and Objective Details
– Legal Characterization of Violations: War crimes, crimes against humanity, establishing the specific intent for genocide.
– Ethnic and Identity-Based Targeting: Systematic targeting of the Zaghawa and Fur communities.
– Targeted Civilian Objects: The Saudi Hospital, University of El Fasher, and humanitarian displacement routes.
– Vulnerable Groups: Brutal targeting of persons with disabilities and confiscation of their mobility aids.

Official and International Positions and Responses:
– The Sudanese Government: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a roadmap to end the war, including the formation of a civil government and holding elections, which was presented to regional and international organizations.
– The UN Security Council: During its presidency of the Security Council in February 2026, the United Kingdom announced sanctions packages targeting military leaders and weapons supply networks for both parties.
– The Sudan Core Group: Announced in late February the formation of a coalition to ensure accountability and prevent further atrocities, demanding access for international judicial mechanisms.

2. Democratic Republic of the Congo
The eastern provinces witnessed a severe deterioration in the humanitarian crisis despite the signing of ceasefire monitoring mechanisms in February 2026. The current phase is characterized by a significant increase in the use of unmanned technologies.

Aerial Attacks and Protection of Civilian Objects:
Human rights monitoring reports confirmed that government forces and allied militias launched dozens of drone strikes in the South Kivu region since the beginning of January. The reports documented strikes that resulted in civilian casualties (including children and the elderly), and the destruction of community assets such as radio stations and places of worship. On March 11, 2026, a drone strike in Goma resulted in the killing of an aid worker employed by UNICEF and the injury of other civilians, which the UN warned could amount to war crimes.

Severe Restrictions on Humanitarian Access:
The conflicting parties (including the M23 movement, local militias, and government forces) impose a suffocating siege on local communities in the highlands. Violations included arbitrary detention, the forced recruitment of civilians to be used as human shields, and the imposition of illegal taxes through roadblocks, resulting in severe shortages of medicines and basic commodities.

Official Responses and Positions:
– The Rwandan Government: Rwanda denied targeting Congolese territory, warning that cooperation between Congolese government forces and armed militias represents a threat to regional security and demanding a political solution.
– UN Mechanisms: Human rights experts demanded the necessity to rein in the militias and ensure impartial investigations into the obstruction of aid and the targeting of humanitarian workers.

3. Republic of Uganda
In the context of the general elections (January – February 2026), the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights monitored an escalation in restrictive measures on the democratic space.

Administrative and Legislative Restrictions on Civil Society:
According to the UN report issued on January 9, authorities employed legislative amendments (such as the Computer Misuse Act and the Non-Governmental Organizations Act) to legitimize the restriction of the opposition. On January 12, 2026, the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organizations issued decisions immediately suspending the operations of more than 10 prominent human rights organizations concerned with election monitoring and the protection of freedoms.

Civil and Political Rights and Media Freedom:
Reports documented the continued arbitrary detention of prominent opposition figures and human rights defenders (such as Kizza Besigye and Dr. Sarah Bireete), and the use of excessive force against peaceful gatherings. The National Communications Commission also issued directives banning the broadcasting of content that independently challenges the integrity of the elections, constituting additional restrictions on freedom of expression and press independence.

4. Federal Republic of Nigeria
The newsletter documented two main tracks of violations: forced evictions in urban areas, and military operations in the north of the country.

Forced Evictions in Lagos (Makoko Community):
Residential clusters in the “Makoko” area were subjected to large-scale demolition operations by local authorities, resulting in the displacement of over 40,000 people and the destruction of health and educational facilities. On February 19, 2026, UN human rights experts issued a statement classifying these operations as “domicide,” asserting that they amount to crimes against humanity generating criminal and civil liability, given that families were left without shelter or alternatives.
– Official Position: The Lagos State government justified the measures by public safety necessities to avoid the dangers of high-tension lines and protect infrastructure and waterways, considering them “difficult but necessary decisions.”

Commitment of Military Operations to the Principle of Precaution (Yobe State):
The African Commission on Human Rights condemned an airstrike carried out by the Nigerian army on April 11 (early in the second quarter) that mistakenly targeted a local market, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties. The Commission demanded an independent and transparent investigation, and a review of the rules of engagement to ensure compliance with the principles of distinction and precaution established in international humanitarian law.

5. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Human rights monitoring focused on two tracks: the protection of civilians in conflict zones, and the realization of economic rights for marginalized groups.

Protection of Civilians and the Right to Life:
International organizations and bodies expressed deep concern over reports documenting targeted killings of civilians in the Amhara region (particularly the “Merawi” incidents), as well as the repercussions of the extension of the state of emergency on civic space. On March 4, 2026, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued an official statement demanding the federal government and the regional government in Oromia to deploy adequate security forces and activate accountability mechanisms to stop documented attacks against civilians in the Arsi zone, which included murders and the destruction of property.

Economic Rights: Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities:
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission conducted extensive consultations revealing structural exclusion of persons with disabilities from public sector employment, identifying gaps in the implementation of legislative directives supporting their integration into the regional labor market.

6. United Republic of Tanzania
The repercussions of the security campaign that followed the late 2025 elections continued to negatively impact the human rights situation.

Restrictions on Peaceful Assembly and Freedom of Expression:
UN experts and international organizations issued reports indicating the occurrence of violations that included the arbitrary arrest of opponents, cases of enforced disappearances affecting activists and political officials, and the use of disproportionate force against peaceful protesters.
– Official Position: The Tanzanian government, through the Information Services Department, denied the validity of the reports issued by international organizations (such as Human Rights Watch), considering them baseless allegations aimed at tarnishing the country’s image. It renewed its absolute constitutional commitment to protecting human rights and freedom of political participation under the amended election laws.

Historical Justice: Regional Summit Outcomes
The 39th Session of the African Union (February 2026) adopted a package of decisions that formed an institutional framework for demanding historical justice. Key outcomes included:
– Algiers Declaration: Classifying colonialism, forced deportation, and slavery as crimes against humanity not subject to a statute of limitations.
– Remembrance Day: Declaring November 30 as an African day to immortalize the memory of the victims of the slave trade, colonialism, and apartheid.
– Decade of Reparations: Launching the “African Union Decade of Reparations 2026-2035” as a timeframe to mobilize diplomatic and legal efforts to hold colonial powers accountable, and designating Ghana as a leading state for this file.

Enhancing Partnership with Civil Society (ECOSOCC)
The Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union intensified its programs aimed at enhancing the role of continental civil society. The Council held high-level dialogues to integrate civil society networks into early warning and conflict resolution mechanisms, along with developing strategies to enhance the freedom of movement of labor and ensure the sustainability of basic services, thereby strengthening African ownership of peacebuilding and development pathways.