Named after Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocity Prevention Act will bolster the ability of the US to contribute to ending and preventing genocide and mass atrocities wherever they occur. First introduced in 2016, the bill requires training for Foreign Service Officers placed in areas at risk of atrocities in order to better recognize and respond to early warning signs. It also supports interagency coordination through structures such as the Atrocities Prevention Board, to facilitate a whole-of-government approach to prevent and respond to emerging atrocities in at-risk countries. Finally, the Act requires regular reporting to Congress regarding these efforts.

Since 2009, when STAND students advocated for the passage of S.Con.Res 71, a resolution affirming U.S. national interest in preventing genocide, we have recognized the need to improve U.S. foreign policy approaches to emerging atrocity issues. Today, as an organization committed to building a world in which the global community is invested in preventing, mitigating, and sustainably resolving genocide and mass atrocities, we affirm this crucial, bipartisan effort towards achieving this vision.

This victory would not have been possible without the long-term commitment of our activists and our partner organizations, including the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Alliance for Peacebuilding, the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative, Jewish World Watch, In Defense of Christians, Peace Direct, and many others.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

–

Casey Bush is the co-Student Director of STAND. Casey recently graduated with her BA in History and Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts and is preparing to pursue a masters at the same institution. She is available for comment at cbush@standnow.org.

According to the United Nations, today there are more than 68.5 million displaced people, including more than 25 million refugees. We cannot turn our backs on these, as one of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Facing the loss of their homes, families, and livelihoods, refugees look to the United States for a fighting chance at life. To restrict their entrance is to abandon the victims of global crises – crises that often the global community has failed to prevent.

We, the young people of STAND, continue to support the fight against anti-refugee actions taken by the United States. A country with such great wealth, potential impact,  and history of humanitarian assistance, has a moral obligation to do their part and accept refugees from around the globe.

As always, we stand #WithRefugees.

16th May 2018

Content Warning: Graphic Depictions of Violence

STAND, The Student-Led Movement to End Mass Atrocities, strongly condemns ongoing violations of human rights in Burundi, including the attack on civilians in Ruhagarika village, Cibitoke Province.

On 11th May 2018, an “unidentified” armed group attacked the Ruhagarika village in northwestern Burundi and massacred 26 innocent civilians, among them 3 girls and 8 boys between the ages of 3 months and 1 year old, and 5 young women between the ages of 19 and 23 years old. The killers are said to have crossed the border from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to massacre the villagers.

This has occurred in the context of a violent lead-up to the referendum taking place on Thursday 17th May 2018, which, if passed, will enable President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for office until 2034, securing a potential 29-year rule. The Burundi Police have publicly announced that they will not tolerate any campaigning against the referendum, and local authorities and Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling party, have carried out violence with near impunity up to this point, including 19 cases of abuse since December 2017, and orders “to beat them [the ‘no’ voters] over the head and tie them up.”

According to local reporting, some of the victims of the Ruhagarika attack were shot dead, and others were burned alive or slashed with machetes. One man’s entire family was killed, including his wife and their three children, and in another family, a father and his two children were burned alive. Ten members of another family were massacred in the attack. These barbaric killings – whoever perpetrated them – violate international law and must be severely sanctioned as crimes against humanity. Such atrocities cannot remain unpunished.  

It is the responsibility of the Government of Burundi to ensure security in its territory and protect its population. STAND calls on the governments of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to respect the rule of law, human rights, and international humanitarian law. In addition, the Congolese government must dissociate with any foreign criminal groups on their soil, including Burundian armed groups.  

While the Government of Burundi announced the opening of an investigation into the Ruhagarika attack, any investigation must be impartial and independent, and led by an outside party. The International Criminal Court should include this massacre in their ongoing investigation into crimes against humanity committed in Burundi.

Recalling the final words of the UN Secretary-General’s remarks to the UN Security Council during the open debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict on 25th May 2017: “Preventing and ending conflict is my first priority. I call on you all to make it yours, for the sake of the millions of civilians who are suffering around the world,” we urge the Government of France, as the penholder on Burundi on the UN Security Council, to ensure that existing UN resolutions on Burundi are implemented in order to restore peace and stability in the country. STAND also urges East African Community Heads of State, the African Union Peace and Security Council, and the United Nations Security Council to take urgent action to prevent further atrocities against civilians in Burundi.

STAND: The Student-Led Movement to End Mass Atrocities, was founded in 2004 by students at Georgetown University. Since then, STAND has expanded to high school and college campuses across the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Originally an acronym for “Students Taking Action Now: Darfur,” STAND’s mission quickly expanded to ending and preventing genocide and mass atrocities wherever they may occur. Today, STAND focuses on Sudan, South Sudan, Burma, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, and Yemen, as well as on emerging atrocity issues such as those in Burundi and the Central African Republic, and on comprehensive atrocity prevention and peacebuilding policy.

For comment or for further information, please contact our country contacts, below:

Grace Fernandes, STAND US Student Co-Director, gfernandes@standnow.org

Charlotte Massey, STAND France Student Co-Director, cmassey@standnow.org

Daisy Goodall, STAND UK Student Director, dgoodall@standnow.org

Communiqué de STAND sur le Massacre de Ruhagarika au Burundi

Le communiqué suivant est émis par les équipes dirigeantes de STAND aux États-Unis, au Royaume-Uni et en France.

16 mai 2018

Contenu violent : Représentations graphiques de la violence

STAND, association étudiante se mobilisant contre le génocide et la violence de masse, condamne fermement les violations des droits humains se perpétrant actuellement au Burundi, et plus spécialement l’attaque sur la population du village de Ruhagarika, dans la province de Cibitoke.

Le 11 mai 2018, un groupe armé « non-identifié » a attaqué la localité de Ruhagarika dans le Nord du Burundi. Ce groupe armé a massacré 26 civils innocents, dont 3 filles et 8 garçons âgés d’entre 3 mois et 1 an, ainsi que 5 jeunes femmes âgées d’entre 19 et 23 ans. Ces criminels auraient franchi la frontière de la République Démocratique du Congo pour massacrer les villageois.

Cet événement prend place dans un climat de violence dans l’attente du référendum du jeudi 17 mai 2018, qui, s’il est adopté, permettra au Président Pierre Nkurunziza de se présenter aux élections jusqu’en 2034, lui garantissant un mandat potentiel de 29 ans. La police du Burundi a annoncé publiquement qu’aucune campagne à l’encontre du référendum ne sera tolérée. Les autorités locales ainsi que l’Imbonerakure, le mouvement de jeunesse du parti au pouvoir, ont porté cette violence dans une quasi-impunité jusqu’à aujourd’hui, notamment 19 cas d’abus depuis décembre 2017, et des ordres tels que : « de les frapper [ceux qui votent contr] à la tête et de les attacher. »

Selon un rapport local, certaines des victimes de l’attaque de Ruhagarika ont été abattues par balle, d’autres ont été brûlées vives ou frappées à la machette. La famille entière d’un homme fut tuée : sa femme et ses trois enfants. Dans une autre famille, le père et ses deux enfants furent brûlés vifs. Dix membres d’une autre famille furent massacrés dans l’attaque.  Ces meurtres barbares – quels qu’en soient les auteurs – violent le droit international et doivent être sévèrement sanctionnés comme crimes contre l’humanité. De telles atrocités ne peuvent pas rester impunies.

Il en va de la responsabilité du Gouvernement du Burundi d’assurer la sécurité et la protection de sa population sur le territoire. STAND appelle les gouvernements burundais et de la République Démocratique du Congo à faire respecter la loi, les droits Humains, et le droit international humanitaire. En outre, le gouvernement congolais doit se dissocier de tous les groupes criminels étrangers présents sur son sol, y compris les groupes armés burundais.

Alors que le Gouvernement du Burundi annonce l’ouverture d’une enquête sur l’attaque de Ruhagarika, il est à rappeler que toute enquête se doit d’être impartiale et indépendante, et menée par un tiers à l’affaire.  En tant que crime contre l’humanité, la Cour Pénale Internationale devrait donc prendre en charge les investigations sur ce massacre.

En rappelant les dernières paroles du Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies lors du Conseil de Sécurité du 25 mai 2017 sur la protection des civils dans les conflits armés : “Prévenir et venir à bout des conflits armés est ma première priorité. J’en appelle à vous pour faire votre possible, pour le bien des millions de civils qui souffrent dans le monde entier” nous demandons au Gouvernement français, comme porte-plume du Burundi au Conseil de Sécurité de l’ONU, de garantir que les résolutions de l’ONU déjà existantes soient appliquées au Burundi afin de restaurer la paix et la stabilité dans le pays. STAND demande également aux Chefs d’État de la Communauté de l’Afrique de l’Est, au Conseil de paix et de sécurité de l’Union Africaine, et au Conseil de Sécurité de l’ONU de prendre des mesures urgentes pour empêcher d’autres atrocités de se perpétrer à l’encontre de la population civile au Burundi.

STAND: Le mouvement étudiant contre les génocides et la violence de masse, a été fondé en 2004 par des étudiants de l’Université de Georgetown. Depuis lors, STAND s’est étendu aux campus des écoles secondaires et des collèges à travers les États-Unis, le Royaume-Uni et la France. À l’origine un acronyme pour «Students Taking Action Now: Darfour», la mission de STAND s’est rapidement étendue à la défense et à la prévention des génocides et des atrocités de masse, où qu’elles se produisent. Aujourd’hui, STAND se concentre sur le Soudan, le Soudan du Sud, la Birmanie, la République démocratique du Congo, la Syrie et le Yémen, ainsi que sur les atrocités émergentes comme au Burundi et en République centrafricaine et sur la prévention des atrocités et la consolidation de la paix.

Pour plus d’informations, merci de contacter nos correspondants nationaux :

Grace Fernandes, STAND US Student Co-Directrice, gfernandes@standnow.org

Charlotte Massey, STAND France Student Co-Directrice, cmassey@standnow.org

Daisy Goodall, STAND UK Student Directrice, dgoodall@standnow.org

Sources

Iwacu Burundi. (2018, May 12). Carnage à Ruhagarika. Retrieved from http://www.iwacu-burundi.org/carnage-a-ruhagarika/

Iwacu Web TV. (2018, May 12). Carnage à Ruhagarika: 26 morts et 7 blessés dans une attaque[Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe9dth6zxDU&t=78s

‘Real carnage': Dozens killed in attack on Burundi border village [Video file]. (2018, May 12). Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/carnage-dozens-killed-attack-burundi-border-village-180512142723753.html

(2017, May 25). Secretary-General’s remarks to Security Council open debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict [as delivered] | United Nations Secretary-General. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2017-05-25/secretary-generals-remarks-security-council-open-debate-protection

Democratic Republic of the Congo

In November, Air Serv mobilized to assist Doctors Without Borders’ efforts to contain the cholera outbreak in Kasai province. Kasai has been a hotspot of conflict throughout the crisis, and the number of NGOs able to operate in the region is limited. Since January 1, there have been over 1,700 cases of cholera diagnosed.

Also in November, the Chair of the Security Council Sanctions Committee published his findings after an October visit to the DRC. He briefed the Council on the ongoing environment of instability and conflict, indicating that the uncertainty of the next election cycle is worrying the Congolese public.

The country drew international interest on November 23, when the Pope led a prayer calling for peace in DRC and South Sudan. Pope Francis intended to visit DRC earlier in the year, but cancelled his plans due to safety concerns.

As a result of President Kabila’s refusal to step down from power, violent protests have continued, killing seven protesters during a December demonstration, when internet and SMS services were discontinued country-wide. The DRC’s electoral commission claims that elections are unable to occur until the end of 2018. On December 8, 15 UN Peacekeepers were killed and 53 were wounded in what UN Secretary-General António Guterres called “the worst attack on UN peacekeepers in recent history.”

Burundi

On November 21, the United Nations Human Rights Council rebuked Burundi for threatening UN investigators with prosecution. The threats followed recommendations from investigators that Burundi’s top leaders be charged with crimes against humanity. The Burundian ambassador to the UN denied the charges and said that the country would pursue defamation charges.

A new health crisis is brewing in the country, and is sure to worsen if changes are not made, warns World Vision. On November 24, the organization indicated that there were upwards of 6 million cases of malaria in 2017, from which 2,800 have died. Though some nonprofits are distributing medical care and prevention measures such as mosquito nets, the crisis remains acute and response is underfunded.

Southeast Asia

Burma

On November 23, the Burmese and Bangladeshi governments signed a pact to begin the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees, but the process was stalled in January due to fear from Rohingya of forced return to Burma. The process, described as “opaque and chaotique,” included an estimated 600,000 Rohingya to be brought back to Rakhine State, where they would be housed in temporary camps due to their homes being destroyed in fires. As part of the pact, Burma promised that they would not stay in these temporary shelters long-term and will be issued identity cards in the meantime. To further address the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi government has invested $280 million to move nearly 100,000 Rohingya refugees to an uninhabitable island in the Bay of Bengal.

Pope Francis went to Burma and Bangladesh to visit the refugee camps on November 28. He is under pressure not to use the word “Rohingya,” as there is fear that it could hinder “dialogue with the country’s leaders.”

24 U.S.-based Jewish groups sent a letter to Senator Bob Corker and Senator Ben Cardin, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, outlining their desire for further condemnation of Burma due to the atrocities against the Rohingya. Groups ranging in doctrine, from the American Jewish Committee to the Anti-Defamation League, stated in their letter, “Passing this legislation through your committee and the full Senate would send a powerful message to the Burmese military and the global community that the United States will not be silent or inactive in the face of mass atrocities.” They proposed “mandating targeted US sanctions to help end the Myanmar military’s atrocities against the Rohingya people, providing refugee assistance for the Rohingya, and establishing a mechanism to address accountability around crimes committed against the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities in Burma.”

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced on December 21 that the United States had imposed sanctions against General Maung Maung Soe, former Western commander of the Burmese military, due to his role in atrocities against Rohingya. Tillerson said, “Today’s announcement of sanctions demonstrates the United States will continue to pursue tangible and significant consequences for those who commit serious human rights abuse and engage in corruption.” These sanctions are made possible through the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, enacted in 2016, which freezes any assets perpetrators may hold under U.S. jurisdiction.

The U.S. State Department said that they had examined credible evidence of Maung Maung Soe’s activities, including that he oversaw the clearance operations, which included extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and burning of entire villages in Rakhine State that forced over half a million Rohingya into Bangladesh. The Burmese military continues to deny all allegations of atrocity crimes.

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

After claims that Sudan faced significant security threats from Ethiopia and Eritrea, Ethiopia has closed its border with Eritrea. During a joint press conference, the foreign ministers of Ethiopia and Sudan said they would work towards regional peace and stability. In addition, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghadoun stated, “we’re not talking “about threats to a country per se” but that they have information to anticipate “whatever danger can come from there.”

The UN acknowledged that arms trafficking activities in Libya and South Sudan have intensified armed conflict in Darfur. A report by a panel of experts revealed that factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) have a presence in Libya and South Sudan respectively, violating an existing arms embargo.

In November, The World Food Program (WFP) restarted its transport of aid into Sudan, and several other corridors have been reopened. On January 7, widespread protests emerged in response to the rising price of bread, due to the Sudanese government’s elimination of subsidies as a part of its austerity campaign. These policies are a part of the IMF’s suggested actions to improve the Sudanese economy, the theory being that this will maximize the benefits of the US lifting sanctions. The government has stifled dissent, arresting an opposition leader and blocking critical coverage. So far, three people have died during these protests, including a high school student.

Rudwan Dawod, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Sudan, is being illegally detained, after being arrested for his involvement in fighting illegal land confiscation in Algarif East on December 6. A prominent activist involved in the Sudan Congress Party and the Sudan of the Future (SOF) campaign, Dawod’s actions supporting civilians in conflict regions like Darfur and the Blue Nile have led to his detention and torture in the past. After the National Security Act of 2010 was passed, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) have been able to commit extra-judicial detainments of any perceived “enemy of the state.”

South Sudan

On January 12, Indian peacekeepers quickly built a bridge in Akoka to connect the village to larger urban areas, allow aid access, and pave the way for vital road repairs to proceed.

Pastoralist-farmer conflicts have remained consistent, bloody, and divisive. Several farmers, pastoralists, and women representatives took part in the Migration Agreement Dissemination Forum for the Marial-Bai agreement on cattle migration on January 10.  This forum hopes to reiterate and indoctrinate the agreement to younger generations. The agreement takes into consideration the the two different lifestyles of the pastoralist and farmer; how the lifestyles affect each other; and how to nonviolently resolve conflicts.

The U.S. is threatening new sanctions on South Sudan if progress towards peace isn’t made. Michael Morrow, the interim U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan, has threatened targeted sanctions on officials and an arms embargo. After numerous officials and state-owned companies were blacklisted, banned, and barred from the U.S. banking system earlier in 2017, the South Sudanese have engaged in peace talks. However, talks continue to be undermined by both sides.

On December 9, women marched in the streets of Juba, lamenting the ongoing war consuming South Sudan and its dire effects on women. Posters reading “Give our children pens, not guns” and “Save my future, stop the war” were carried by women of all different classes and ages. As the war enters its fifth year, women are demanding humanitarian aid promoting international dialogue by being at the forefront of protests.

In December, skirmishes in South Sudan took the lives of several government and rebel soldiers. 27 people died in a confrontation in the Southern Liech State. Additionally, 60 people were killed and many injured in ethnic clashes in Western Lakes State incited by reciprocal cattle-raids between the Rup, Pakam, and Dinka pastoralist clans. SPLA troops were dispatched to stop the violence. With much of the country food insecure, a scarcity of grazing land, and vast social distrust fueled by the war, ethnicity-driven attacks have been on the rise.

On December 15, a “hybrid” court was agreed on between South Sudan’s Council of Ministers and the African Union in order to prosecute war criminals.

Government forces attacked the southeast town of Lasu just as peace talks began on December 19. On December 24, a ceasefire went into effect as a direct result of a negotiated peace deal. Though the representatives of several countries and international organizations, such as Norway, China, EU, and IGAD, were present as guarantors and signatories, the U.S. representative refused to sign it. The deal will not only release several political prisoners, but will also open up areas desperately in need of humanitarian aid. Even after the ceasefire was implemented, a spokesperson for the SPLM-IO said that rebel bases in the north and in the southeastern Yei state have come under “the most aggressive attack” by government forces. The South Sudanese army spokesperson claims the opposite, saying that rebels violated the ceasefire, accusing them of instigating the government’s aggressive takeback of territory post-ceasefire. Any undermining of the ceasefire may lead to increased sanctions by the UN Security Council. The UN threatened similar severity if the use of child soldiers and sexual violence continues.

West & Central Africa

Central African Republic (CAR)

The Central African Republic experienced a 50%  increase in the number of displaced peoples in 2017. Foreign ministers from CAR and 10 other central African countries met on December 8 to discuss and address the violence in the region. The focus of the discussion was on “assessing and examining the security and geopolitical situation in Central Africa and a reviewing of disarmament and arms limitation programs in the region.”

Violence in CAR continued with an attack on a MINUSCA checkpoint on December 4 that wounded three and killed one. Secretary-General António Guterres “reiterate[d] the determination of MINUSCA to protect civilians and contribute to the stabilization of the Central African Republic,” and encouraged all parties in CAR to end the violence.

The Bloomberg Business Report found that gem smuggling is crippling the economy, making it even more difficult for the country to advance. According to this report, illegal diamond sales continue to fund conflict in the region, even though there is currently an embargo on diamonds from the Central African Republic. The government claims that it is aware of the illicit sales, but does not have the resources to counter them. In addition to gem smuggling, armed groups are using roadblocks to fund their operations.

Nigeria

In Nigeria, the fight against Boko Haram has a new face: General Nicholas Rogers. General Rogers replaced the former leader in the offensive against Boko Haram, Major General Attahiru Ibrahim, who was removed from his position in September. General Rogers previously led special military and police forces dedicated to fighting ethnic conflict in Nigeria.

The news of the change in leadership came not long after suicide bombers, suspected to be working with Boko Haram, killed at least twelve people in an attack on a market in Biu. In addition, reports from officials say that almost 50 were injured in the blasts.

On December 3, Human Rights Watch raised alarms over toxic pollution in northern Nigeria that has killed over 400 children since 2010. They reported that children are especially at risk due to the pollution.

—

Soham Mehta is STAND’s Sudan and South Sudan Coordinator. He is currently a sophomore in high school at BASIS Chandler. Soham hopes to help educate people about of the scale and prevalence of genocides in order to raise awareness for legislation to counter current atrocities and to dissuade future ones. In his free time, Soham enjoys volunteering, drawing, and playing the guitar.

Caroline Brammer is STAND’s Southeast Asia Coordinator. Caroline is a sophomore majoring in Media and Journalism with a minor in Medical Anthropology at UNC Chapel Hill. She is eager to delve into her role as a member of the Education Task Force for Southeast Asia and excited to learn how she can influence change while on the other side of the world. She enjoys painting, writing, trekking, humanitarian work, and loves travelling above all else.

Rhiannon Winner is STAND’s Great Lakes of Africa Coordinator, focusing mainly on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi. She is a junior at Gettysburg College where she double majors in Political Science and Public Policy.

Elizabeth Westbrook is STAND’s Central/West Africa Coordinator focusing on the Central African Republic and Nigeria. She is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she is studying Political Science and History, with a concentration in Middle Eastern and African history. After graduation she hopes to pursue work in peace building and conflict prevention.

1. Burma

After insurgents from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) attacked Burmese security forces on August 25, 2017, the Burmese military launched a scorched-earth assault against Rohingya Muslim civilians in Rakhine state. During a brutal military campaign that the United Nations has classified as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing,” a position that has been echoed by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the military has burned hundreds of villages and systematically killed and raped thousands of Rohingya civilians. Many of the 650,000 Rohingya refugees who fled into Bangladesh to escape the violence are in danger of starvation and disease. Many more remain trapped in what are essentially concentration camps within Burma. Even in the midst of this catastrophe, however, the government of Burma recently banned Yanghee Lee, a special investigator from the United Nations, from investigating human rights violations in Burma, and Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto civilian leader of Burma, has largely remained silent on the plight of the Rohingya. As the Rohingya continue to suffer in host countries such as Bangladesh and Malaysia, and feel it is unsafe to return to Burma, continued international pressure, including a reimposition of sanctions by the United States and global partners, is vital to address these atrocities.

2. Central African Republic

In the second half of last year, the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic deteriorated significantly as the central government remained unable to exercise meaningful authority outside of the capital of Bangui. Already one of the poorest countries in the world, most of the country is controlled by armed groups fighting over valuable resources, such as cattle and diamonds. Since the cycle of violence began again in 2013, more than one million civilians have been forcibly displaced, and today more than half of the population relies on humanitarian aid to survive. Unfortunately, thousands have been unable to obtain such aid because it is too dangerous for non-governmental organizations to operate in many areas of the country. Without increased assistance to the Central African Republic, focusing on both emergency assistance and support for building sustainable political, economic, and legal institutions, instability and atrocities against civilians will undoubtedly continue.

3. South Sudan

A ceasefire signed by President Salva Kiir’s government and several opposition groups on December 21 was broken within hours. The ceasefire intended to revive a previously signed peace deal that collapsed earlier last year after fighting between government and rebel forces erupted in the capital of Juba. Neighboring countries involved in the negotiations, as well as the United States, have threatened to punish those who violate the ceasefire, but it is unclear whether such pressure will be sufficient to deter the parties, particularly because it is unclear how exactly South Sudan would be punished. Meanwhile, the people of South Sudan face a vast humanitarian crisis; nearly four million have been forcibly displaced, and seven million will not survive without humanitarian assistance. Maintaining the ceasefire and working towards a sustainable political solution will be crucial in order to ameliorate this crisis and end the ethnic violence that has persisted throughout the past year.

4. Sudan

Though the United States lifted economic sanctions on Sudan in October, the human rights record of President Omar al-Bashir’s government remains abysmal. Last June, the United Nations began to reduce the size of its peacekeeping force in Sudan, yet violence against civilians by government forces and armed militias remains prevalent. Approximately one-third of the population of Darfur remains displaced, and many remain concerned for their safety and livelihoods, particularly in the midst of a disarmament process that could reignite violence in the region. Additionally, millions of people are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance in Darfur, the Nuba Mountains, and Blue Nile. Both short-term and long-term efforts are necessary to end atrocities that continue to be committed in Sudan.

5. Yemen

The civil war in Yemen, which has now lasted more than one thousand days, only worsened near the end of 2017. Saudi airstrikes continue to target civilians and violence rages between Houthi rebels, pro-government forces, local militias, and Islamic State fighters. More than seven million civilians are at risk of starvation, partially due to a blockade of Yemeni ports by Saudi Arabia. Although the key port of Hodeidah was reopened on December 20, Saudi Arabia promised to leave it open for just thirty days; after that, there is no guarantee that aid will continue to arrive. Additionally, nearly one million people have been infected with cholera. This epidemic has been exacerbated by the destruction of hospitals and water supply facilities, and the blockade of ports that made it impossible for remaining hospitals to access electricity. Observers have indicated that there is neither a military nor a humanitarian solution to this crisis; thus far, however, peace talks have failed to make significant progress.

6. Burundi

In December, President Pierre Nkurunziza threatened citizens of Burundi to support a referendum that would permit him to remain in power until 2034. He declared that any attempt to sabotage the referendum would be a “red line.” Extrajudicial killings and torture continue to be used against political opponents, and the regime has also cracked down on the media. Although Nkurunziza has insisted that it is safe for refugees to return to Burundi, a recent report by Amnesty International found that many risk death, sexual violence, or torture upon their return. In order to guarantee lasting peace in Burundi, the political impasse must end. All efforts to alter the constitution in Burundi have only led to increased violence.

7. Democratic Republic of the Congo

The humanitarian situation worsened significantly last year in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as President Joseph Kabila continually delayed elections, “implement[ing] a deliberate ‘strategy of chaos’ through orchestrated violence,” which has displaced and killed thousands of civilians. The United Nations recently classified it as a Level 3 emergency, placing the country on par with Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. Violence rages in various provinces, particularly Kasai, Tanganyika, and South Kivu. Armed groups have burned villages, killed and raped civilians, and forcibly recruited child soldiers. Even as 13 million people require humanitarian assistance, the world has provided minimal financial support. In December, 15 peacekeepers from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) were killed, and the suspected killer of two United Nations experts was arrested. Protests against Kabila’s extension of power continue, killing 6 last week. Without greater international commitment, the political instability in the country will likely continue to fuel mass atrocities.

8. Ethiopia

Outbreaks of ethnic violence between the Oromo, who are predominantly farmers, and Ethiopian-Somalis, who are predominantly pastoralists, have displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians in Ethiopia. Tensions have been exacerbated because of the ongoing drought, which has contributed to economic insecurity and increased the risk of malnutrition throughout the country. Near the end of the year, anti-government protests regarding the marginalization and oppression of opposition groups emerged. Ethiopian military forces have responded by killing dozens of protesters. These tensions are likely to worsen in 2018 if the causes of these protests remain unaddressed.

9. Nigeria

Although the Nigerian military has regained control of most of the territory once controlled by Boko Haram, the crisis in northeastern Nigeria has not ended. Millions of people are desperately in need of humanitarian aid, and as the military pulls back from the countryside to fortify their control over cities and towns, many citizens living in rural areas are left vulnerable to attacks by Boko Haram. The Nigerian military has also been accused of various human rights abuses, including sexual abuse and arbitrary detention. In addition to the struggle against Boko Haram, there has also been renewed violence in the Niger Delta committed by militants expressing their displeasure with the lack of development assistance provided to the region by the Nigerian government.

10. Syria

In the past year, due to extensive support by allies Russia and Iran, ineffectiveness of Syrian rebel groups, and a lack of U.S. diplomatic engagement, President Bashar al-Assad has consolidated control over much of Syria, making implementation of the Geneva process, which would require the installation of a transitional government, far less likely. Instead, the Syrian government is meeting in Russia as part of the Sochi talks, which has alarmed opposition groups. The opposition fears these talks will only allow Assad to solidify his control of Syria. Government forces recently killed dozens of civilians in Eastern Ghouta during a military offensive against the Idlib province, the largest remaining rebel stronghold, demonstrating a willingness to continue bombing civilian infrastructure and a reliance on siege tactics to seize and hold territory. They also have continued to block humanitarian assistance to territory held by rebel groups. If the United States continues its current policy trajectory—wherein it focuses solely on terrorism while ignoring the civil war—Assad will be able to solidify his control in Syria, which will likely result in increased atrocities.

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Justin Cole is the Policy Coordinator for STAND: The Student-Led Movement to End Mass Atrocities, and a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is earning his degree in economics and peace, war, and defense.

Somalia

As the international community continues to grapple with October’s brutal terror attack in Mogadishu, the United States has steadily increased its provision of military aid to the region, increasing personnel more than twofold. The revamping of America’s military presence in the Horn of Africa has manifested in two new military headquarters in Mogadishu, as well as an escalation of airstrikes. This was perhaps prompted by AMISOM’s seemingly abrupt decision to begin withdrawing troops from Somalia last month. As AMISOM transitions out of the region, it is sure to leave a security vacuum, which the United States appears amenable to fill. Indeed, the United States’ military initiative in the region comes at a time when mounting conflict has prevented the government from establishing proper aid infrastructure to reach the millions of people currently at risk of food insecurity. As the United States escalates its military presence in Somalia, it remains to be seen whether the increasingly protected Somali government will commit itself to a more effective approach to transport and agricultural infrastructure.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia has continued to be ravaged by mounting ethnic conflict in Oromia, a region of the country where over 200,000 people have been displaced by violence. Conflict between the Oromo and Somali regions of Ethiopia has led to sporadic violence perpetrated by the regional governments of both provinces, with the Oromo criticizing the federal government for not doing more to quell the fighting. The Oromo contend that the federal government has refused to provide sufficient aid to the region, following a year and a half of anti-government protests held there. As a result of a poorly coordinated federal initiative to quell the violence, thousands of Oromo have been forced into refugee camps and hundreds more have lost their lives.

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

In continuation of August arms control policies, which has a stated aim to decrease weapons smuggling in Darfur, Sudanese Vice President Abdel Rahman made moves to aid the disarmament process by registering unregulated vehicles. This process has intensified as a widespread belief has emerged that it could ignite a series of armed conflicts between tribal leaders, local militias, and the government, putting civilians at risk. The Vice President is also cracking down on smuggling in Sudan’s porous border.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s favorable treatment of Sudan is becoming a trend. After sanctions were lifted in October, supposedly to improve economic development and to decrease their trade with North Korea, the U.S. is now open to removing Sudan as a state sponsor of terror. If the government in Khartoum continues to distance themselves from North Korea, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan says Sudan will be removed from the list. Sudan’s ties to North Korea aren’t the only relations that Sudan has to groups unfriendly to the U.S. Reminiscent of Sudan’s ties to Al Qaeda, Sudan apparently has ties to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas. Nevertheless, Sudan’s human rights record continues to be appalling, especially when it comes to freedom of speech and religion. Church demolitions are common and the country is dangerous for journalists as the National Intelligence and Security Services censor any news unfavorable to the government.

South Sudan

On November 15, UN ambassador Nikki Haley, shocked by her October visit, spoke at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, criticizing South Sudanese government forces for exacerbating and perpetuating ethnically-based conflict, while also saying the fault was on both sides. She brought to light issues of women’s rights by exposing terrible living conditions and rampant rape committed by government forces. In contrast to the unconditional support Kiir has received from other U.S. leaders, Haley has taken a hard stance concerning Kiir’s human rights record with hopes that he will go beyond denial and conciliatory rhetoric. Kiir has allowed humanitarian groups complete access to the country in hopes it will alleviate the current famine. In a country where policy implementation is so decentralized and perverted by ethnic conflict, cohesion on the part of the state is necessary to signify a true change in policy.

On Monday, the two factions within the South Sudan’s People Liberation Army (the SPLM and the SPLM-In Opposition) were united, which may help end conflict in South Sudan. These factions represent the rift between President Salva Kiir and exiled former Vice President Riek Machar, as well as the wider ethno-political conflict. Despite this move, Lt. Gen. Wesley Welebe Samson says that “The Cairo Declaration that was signed by fragmented factions of South Sudan’s SPLM party will not bring peace without the release, return and full participation of SPLA/M-IO Chairman and Commander in Chief Dr. Riek Machar Teny.” Riek Machar, the former Vice President of South Sudan, denounced the entire negotiation process. This is not unexpected as he rejected negotiations in Kampala this June, which hinged on his release and the unification of the two factions.

Middle East and North Africa

Yemen

The UN has urged Saudi Arabia to allow humanitarian aid into Yemen. Early in November, as a response to a missile attack fired by Houthi rebels on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia imposed a blockade on all ports in Yemen after the bombing of the Sana’a airport. Justifying their decision by claiming humanitarian aid shipments are used to smuggle arms, the Saudi government has put millions of civilians at risk.  

Immediately after the blockade’s implementation, there was a global outcry. Human rights organizations expressed alarm about the threatening situation. Some of the aid that was impeded includes at least three UN airplanes full of emergency supplies; support from the World Food Program, which has been feeding seven million people a month in Yemen; and medicine for a widespread cholera outbreak.

While the block on southern ports was lifted, the situation in Yemen continues to be indisputably grave. The Guardian reports that while this was a step in the right direction, noting that the embargo remains “on all Houthi-controlled ports in northern Yemen, including Hodeidah, through which 70% of aid has been transported.”

Disease and famine resulting from destitute conditions have only been exacerbated by the blockade. A drastic increase in fuel prices and cooking gas has resulted in less pumping stations. Less pumping stations, in turn, have caused the elimination of clean water from five major cities. With seven million people on the brink of man-made famine, the gross violation of rights is evident.

Egypt

Egypt recently issued a warning to Ethiopia for its ongoing construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egyptians fear will cut into their water supply. Negotiations between Ethiopia, Egypt, and neighboring Sudan have broken down, and President El-Sisi of Egypt has threatened that “no one can touch Egypt’s share of water.”

On November 24, militants bombed a Sufi Mosque located in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 305 people and wounding 128. Most of the victims were Sufi Muslims. Soon after, the Egyptian government administered airstrikes targeting the militants who were responsible for the attack.

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Soham Mehta is STAND’s Sudan and South Sudan Coordinator. He is currently a sophomore in high school at BASIS Chandler. Soham hopes to help educate people about of the scale and prevalence of genocides in order to raise awareness for legislation to counter current atrocities and to dissuade future ones. In his free time, Soham enjoys volunteering, drawing, and playing the guitar.

Sael Soni is STAND’s Horn of Africa Coordinator. Sael is a freshman at Vanderbilt University. His interests lay mostly in understanding the dynamics of post-Colonial Latin America and the intersection of human rights and economic policy.

Ana Delgado is STAND’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Coordinator. Ana Delgado is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is studying Political Science and Peace, War, & Defense while minoring in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. After graduation, Ana hopes to pursue a law degree with an emphasis on human rights.

Burma

Earlier this week ,the U.S. announced that they will withdraw their assistance from Burmese units and officers involved in the violence against the Rohingya. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson did not critique Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government for the humanitarian crisis, but held Burma’s military leadership accountable.

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert reported that the U.S. is “exploring accountability mechanisms under U.S. law,” specifically the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. This act allows the president to block or revoke visas of certain foreign individuals and entities, or to impose property sanctions on them. This has the potential to further impede injustices committed by the Burmese military. The U.S. lifted these sanctions last year, after Burma began making more significant moves towards democratization.
Furthermore, both Burmaand Bangladesh have signed two agreements aiming to strengthen border security and cooperation. Mostafa Kamal Uddin, Bangladesh Home Secretary, praised this agreement, hopeful that it will foster a way for the Rohingya to return home safely, and with dignity. However, neither country has yet to release any specific, planned steps for the repatriation, especially because Burma previously claimed military operations ceased on Sept. 5.

Sudan and South Sudan

South Sudan

Under the Magnitsky Act, Canada has decided to impose sanctions on three officials from South Sudan. These sanctions go further than previous Canadian sanctions, freezing the assets of the officials in question. These sanctions are indicative of wider institutional problems in South Sudan. According to The Sentry, South Sudan has several key attributes that make it susceptible to corruption. South Sudan’s vast majority of wealth is held in natural resources, which leads government elites to control the majority of South Sudan’s immense, but not very liquid wealth. This further incentivizes them to hold on to their wealth, explaining why the state has such tight controls over the economy and the budget, while also having corporatist tendencies. South Sudan’s corruption and corporate ties are only intensified by the existence of no-bid contracts that allow for officials to give lucrative projects to companies that are partially owned by those same government officials. In addition, the fragile financial system makes it very easy to siphon money out of the country.

The economic future of refugees has been a top priority of the UNHCR, especially for South Sudanese arriving  without any assets. Per request of the UN, South Sudanese refugees have been permitted to work as laborers in the farms of the White Nile region of Sudan. Not only is the UN providing refugees an opportunity to learn useful skills, but it is also creating a framework whereby refugees can integrate better into their host countries. According to an OCHA report, 40 to 50 percent of the refugee population have started to work on these farms.

Political instability continues in South Sudan, as one of President Kiir’s army chiefs, Paul Malong, has been restricted to his home, now surrounded by troops. Malong was suspected of joining opposition forces after being fired for leading anti-Nuer pogroms in Juba last year. Because of his divisive actions, he was fired by Kiir and sanctioned by the US.

South Sudan

In August, the Sudanese Vice President authorized an effort to disarm rebel groups and citizens in the Darfur region, voluntarily or coercively.  Unfortunately, this effort has been hampered by a lack of funds to assist coercing individuals or groups that continue to resist this initiative. So far, the government has collected 30,000 out of the estimated 700,000 illegal arms harbored in Darfur. Tribal leaders have shown the most resistance and are willing to militarily confront any state force if necessary. The movement of state forces into Darfur has occurred in tandem with the reignition of the conflict between the Ma’alia and Rizeigat tribes. As a show of force, 93 tribal leaders have been arrested and a peaceful demonstration at the South Darfur Kalma Camp was quashed violently, with 6 people dead and 28 injured. This has warranted international condemnation and a call by the US embassy for Sudan to launch an immediate investigation into this instance.

During a diplomatic trip to Khartoum on November 1st, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir addressed the claim that South Sudan has been supporting Sudanese opposition groups. During a meeting with Kiir’s Sudanese counterpart, Omar al-Bashir, Kiir assured him that he would end all support to these opposition groups. Kiir nevertheless rebuked any criticism of his actions saying Sudan was a primary supplier of arms for South Sudanese opposition groups and that Bashir too had supported and even housed some of Kiir’s opposition. Despite this rhetoric, both nations remained conciliatory and made several compromises to end their strenuous relationship, which Kiir believes fuels the ideology of violent rebel groups. This manifested in their agreement to completely demarcate their long border and thereby finally make their demilitarized zone operational.

Middle East and North Africa

Egypt

Egypt’s Al-Aqrab prison is housing an ongoing hunger strike in protest of poor living conditions.

This notorious prison, officially named Tora Maximum Security Prison, is more commonly known by its nickname, the Scorpion. A 2016 report by Human Rights Watch details the gross human rights violations to which prisoners are subjected, including beatings, torture, lack of medical care, and psychological abuse.

The emphasis on Scorpion by human rights groups and news outlets does not mean abusesin other Egyptian prisons has been overlooked. Yet, it is crucial to note that Scorpion “has re-emerged as the central site for those deemed enemies of the state,” and thus, its prisoners are particular targets of government entities. Human Rights Watch explains that the Tora “sits at the end of the state’s repressive pipeline, overseen at nearly all points by the Interior Ministry and its internal security service, the National Security Agency.”

In September, about 80% of the prisoners began a hunger strike against Scorpion employees and Egyptian government’s vile humanitarian offenses. Their complaints included: unwarranted banned family visits, malnourishment; a lack of medical care, confinement, and weather-appropriate clothing. These basic needs are crucial to human dignity, regardless of actual or supposed criminal activity.

This is not the first time prisoners have started a hunger strike at Tora. In March 2016, Al-Jazeera reported on “Egypt’s Guantanamo,” citing similar complaints among prisoners. At the time, the head of the Arab Organization for Human Rights, Mohamed Gameel, in the UK,, said the “Egyptian government would not react unless there was immense pressure from the international community.”

Horn of Africa

Somalia

On October 15, the Somali capital of Mogadishu was devastated by a deadly double car bombing attack which resulted in upwards of 300 confirmed casualties. Surrounding details that emerged soon after have all but confirmed al-Shaabab’s implication in the attack, presenting a major challenge in Somalia’s decade long battle against the militant Islamist group. The attack came as US military officials have increased drone strikes and counter-insurgency efforts.: It has become increasingly clear that accruing military elements to secure the country must come with something more. In a recently released UN article, researchers found that state-sponsored counterterrorism efforts across Africa have systematically increased levels of extremist violence, with 71% of former terrorists indicating that “government action” was the primary factor in joining a terrorist group.

Despite these findings, the front against terrorism following the attack has been primarily militaristic. In the weeks following the attack, the African Union deployed troops in the Lower Shabelle region, for the first time in two years since the AU formally launched an operation against al-Shaabab). The offensive, given the American administration’s relaxed rules of engagement effective March, is likely to contribute to a rise in civilian casualties in the region. Recent investigation has shown that in the Somali city of Bariire, for example, the United States operated on misleading intelligence, which contributed to accidental casualties, which only exacerbate terrorist threats. A week ago, al-Shaabab once again carried out an attack on Mogadishu, killing 23 people at the Nasa-Hablod hotel. On November 7th, al-Shaabab executed four men accused of spying for the Ethiopian and Kenyan governments. As the military response to the terrorist attack builds, it is difficult to predict to what extent the situation will improve.

Meanwhile, tensions in Ethiopia have come to a head as soldiers shot and killed 10 civilians protesting an unfair allocation of food supplies in the region of Oromia. This event underscores the underlying anger of many ethnic Oromo, who claim that the federal government has unequally distributed wealth in favor of other ethnic groups. After the protests dwindled, soldiers were stationed across the region to intimidate civilians and enforce rule of law. This rapid military response has cast doubt on Addis Ababa’s competence in effectively responding to civil protest, while others look to the new Oromo regional administration, which has recently promoted a ethno-nationalist agenda. The mounting instability in the region has captured regional and international attention, raising questions about the federal relationship between Oromia and Addis Ababa, and future grievances in the region.

Great Lakes Region

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Following the turbulent month of October, in which the national Electoral Commission announced elections would not be held until late 2018 at the earliest, two United Nations peacekeepers were killed, and the United Nations declared D.R. Congo an L3 emergency (on par with nations such as Yemen and Iraq). A United Nations watchdog reported on November 9th that militia groups, comprised primarily of child soldiers, continue to commit widespread human rights abuses despite years of warnings. The country’s National Human Rights Commission has been unable to act upon these abuses without funding, which they have gone without since March, and are restricted to operations within the capital city of Kinshasa.

 The Tanganyika province in the southeast of the country has suffered from some of the highest levels of violence and displacement, especially in recent months. On November 1st, the independent aid organization, Norwegian Refugee Council, released a humanitarian assessment documenting squalid living conditions, wherethe majority of internally displaced peoples have no access to clean water, shelter, or latrines. They conclude that a mass outbreak of disease is likely, and that there are not enough humanitarian aid organizations in the region to organize an adequate humanitarian response to such an event.

 On November 7th, at the 730th meeting of the African Union, the organization’s Peace and Security Council evaluated the results of a four day field mission led by the Burundian ambassador to the AU. The Council adopted a resolution reaffirming the AU’s support for a free and democratic Congo, insisting upon the public release of an elections schedule, and expressing concern about continued human rights abuses.

In a positive development, eighteen people were brought to trial on November 9th for charges of child rape, murder, and organization of an armed group. Though the significant delay of the beginning of the trial and the short initial proceedings of a mere twenty minutes have raised fears that a mistrial is possible, experts suggest there is evidence that the DRC is serious about prosecuting those accused of such crimes. In the past few years, the country has somewhat increased its efforts to combat sexual violence and has successfully prosecuted even high-level military commanders. These efforts have only targeted a tiny proportion of the crimes committed, however.

Burundi

 The crisis in Burundi will be addressed again at the United Nations in November, when the Secretary General’s Special-Envoy will present his findings to the Security Council. The briefing is expected to focus on key recent developments, such as ongoing human rights abuses and the stalling of inter-Burundian peace talks facilitated by the East African Community (EAC),  a regional intergovernmental organization. According to the Security Council’s monthly forecast, the security situation in Burundi has been stable as of late, though this guise of peace is likely unsustainable and the report predicts an escalation of violence between the government and opposition should conditions fail to change.

On November 9, the International Criminal Court granted prosecutors authority to launch an investigation into human rights abuses in Burundi. This follows only days after October 27, when Burundi became the first nation to formally withdraw from the ICC. Any investigation will likely build off of claims made in a United Nations report in September, which documented extrajudicial killings, rape, torture, and other human rights abuses. The Burundian government has announced that it will not cooperate with any investigation.

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Sael Soni is STAND’s Horn of Africa Coordinator. Sael is a freshman at Vanderbilt University. His interests lay mostly in understanding the dynamics of post-Colonial Latin America and the intersection of human rights and economic policy.

Ana Delgado is STAND’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Coordinator. Ana Delgado is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is studying Political Science and Peace, War, & Defense while minoring in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. After graduation, Ana hopes to pursue a law degree with an emphasis on human rights.

Soham Mehta is STAND’s Sudan and South Sudan Coordinator.

Caroline Brammer is STAND’s Southeast Asia Coordinator. Caroline is a sophomore majoring in Media and Journalism with a minor in Medical Anthropology at UNC Chapel Hill. She is eager to delve into her role as a member of the Education Task Force for Southeast Asia and excited to learn how she can influence change while on the other side of the world. She enjoys painting, writing, trekking, humanitarian work, and loves travelling above all else.

Rhiannon Winner is STAND’s Great Lakes of Africa Coordinator, focusing mainly on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi. She is a junior at Gettysburg College where she double majors in Political Science and Public Policy.

Great Lakes of Africa

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The Democratic Republic of Congo is close to falling back into civil war. Most state functions are near collapse. The court system has no budget, leading to judges charging additional money for services to make ends meet. This state failure stems from a lack of state authority in the country. Despite the fact that President Joseph Kabila’s second term finished in December, he has stayed in office. Citizens have consistently called for him step down and elections have been delayed. Hundreds have been killed in the last few months and more than a million people have fled since the conflict began in mid-2016, due to fighting between Congolese security forces and opposition militia. Roughly 400,000 children are at risk for severe malnutrition. A group of African leaders led by Kofi Annan stated in June, “We are deeply concerned about the political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC], which represents a threat to the stability, prosperity and peace of the Great Lakes region and indeed for Africa as a whole.”

On June 11, armed men stormed Kangbayi prison in Eastern Congo, freeing over 900 inmates. Most of these inmates were convicted for their involvement in mass killings. The Congolese government has not identified the attackers, but sources claim that they are “Ugandan fighters of the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group that has been accused of killing more than 600 people in the past three years.” This is the fifth reported prison escape in the last month, totaling over 6,000. One Congolese citizen stated that these events show that the country is not well run and is “irresponsible,” questioning whether or not Kabila will use this as an excuse to delay the elections.

An election head in the country has said that an election for a new president will most likely not be logistically possible this year. This violates a deal permitting Kabila to stay in office past his term. The government claims they need more time to prepare for the election. Kabila’s term ended in December, but he has refused to step down, inciting violence in the country.

Burundi

The Burundian government has accused the EU of attempting regime change in Burundi, but the EU has denied these claims. Burundi claims to have obtained documents stating that the EU delegation in Burundi paid people who wanted to weaken and disrupt the country. The EU has been critical of President Pierre Nkurunziza’s government in the past but stated, “We formally refute these accusations. They are based on a deliberately wrong interpretation of a program of support for human rights defenders.”

According to a report from the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Tutsi officers are being removed from Burundi’s army. President Nkurunziza is a member of the majority Hutu group. Burundians fear that those who are being removed will form their own opposition group, sparking civil war. Burundi has experienced power struggles between the two groups since its independence in 1962, including mass killings and even genocide. Since the conflict began in mid-2015, it has been mostly political, but some have begun to worry that another genocide will occur in the country.

The refugee population from Burundi has grown dramatically in the last two years as the crisis continues. Thousands are fleeing to neighboring countries, with Tanzania hosting the most at 249,000 and the tens of thousands more being hosted in the DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda. It is expected that the refugee population from Burundi will grow to over half a million by the end of 2017, making Burundi the third biggest refugee situation in Africa. However, while the number of refugees is increasing, funds to help them are decreasing. A UNHCR spokesperson said that they have only received two percent of the $250 million they need to expand refugee camps and provide education to refugee children. Some host countries have reportedly returned refugees back to Burundi, which UNHCR is trying to prevent.

Middle East and North Africa

Yemen

Last month, the Senate voted on whether or not to block a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. While the deal was not blocked, the number of Senators who voted for a block more than doubled since the last vote, demonstrating unprecedented opposition. The deal will have a critical impact on the crisis in Yemen, as Saudi Arabia has repeatedly targeted Yemeni citizens and infrastructure in Yemen through military action. The Saudi government claims to be using the weapons to defend themselves against Yemeni rebels, but, while all parties to the conflict have committed abuses against civilians, Saudi has been aided by U.S. and U.K. support.  

The destruction of infrastructure has contributed to risk of famine, with about a quarter of Yemen’s population “one step away from famine.” Not only are many citizens suffering from severe malnutrition, but there has also been a recent outbreak of cholera, reportedly killing one person an hour, and 1,200 people to date. The UN blames the warring parties for this “man-made catastrophe.” Few medical facilities are still running in the country and about two-thirds of the population does not have access to safe drinking water, leading to the very high death rate, and in particular of women and children. There is a lack of medicine and intravenous fluids and most healthcare workers have not been paid in over nine months. The UN and other health organizations agreed on June 15 to send 1 million cholera vaccines to Yemen. Since then, however, they have decided not to pursue this plan due to the rapid spread of the disease. As a WHO statesperson stated, “The situation has evolved so rapidly that vaccines are not the priority tool to use right now.”

Syria

At the G20 Summit earlier this month, the US and Russia negotiated a ceasefire deal in southwest Syria. This ceasefire began on July 8 and is holding so far. The deal covers three war-torn provinces. There was some light fire between groups after the ceasefire went into effect, but officials said that this has not yet threatened the peace. There have been ceasefire attempts in the past and none have stayed, so tension in the area remains. Locals fear that while the ceasefire has been effective so far, there are not mechanisms in place to continue this progress. However, the ceasefire shows notable improvement in the conflict, as Russia and the US back opposing sides, with Russia supporting the Syrian government and the US advocating the removal of Bashar al-Assad. Yet Iran, the other major backer of the Syrian government, is calling for a ceasefire in all of Syria, not just specific regions.

Meanwhile, the UN held a new round of indirect talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups that began July 10 and lasted a week. This was the seventh attempt at reaching some sort of peace agreement since the civil war began. The opposition wants to focus the talks on a political transition, while the government thinks the focus should be on fighting terrorism in the country. The talks are reported to address both issues. The talks ended with some progress, but no breakthroughs. The UN plans to hold the next peace talks in September and hopes the groups will meet face-to-face for the first time.

Central and West Africa

Central African Republic (CAR)

A peace deal between 13 of 14 armed groups in CAR was signed a few weeks ago calling for an immediate ceasefire. However, just hours later, fighting began again. This was not the first peace attempt between the groups, as they signed peace deals in 2014 and 2015. The situation in the Central African Republic is very fragile and most parties believe a ceasefire is crucial.

After allegations of sexual abuse, 600 UN peacekeepers will be dismissed and returned to the Republic of Congo, their home country. There has also been an increase of attacks against peacekeepers in the Central African Republic. The UN envoy for CAR warned of these attacks as well as attacks on civilians. Violence has worsened in the past two months, with over 300 people killed in two weeks in May and six UN peacekeepers killed in one week in May. The international community has condemned the attacks.  

CAR remains the most neglected crisis in the world, reports the Norwegian Refugee Council. The report found that the world pays the least attention when humanitarian crises force Africans from their homes, because this diminishes hopes of peace and raises the possibility of more conflict. The list of the ten most neglected countries includes the DRC, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria, and Burma. This list was created by determining which countries lacked economic support to take care of basic human needs, had little media attention, and almost no political will to address the crises.

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

In 2015, Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide and crimes against humanity, traveled to South Africa for an African Union meeting, but the country failed to arrest him. The ICC criticized South Africa for this and rejected the argument that they did not arrest him because he was leading his country’s delegation and therefore was immune to arrest. A local court ruled that South Africa was required to arrest him, but by the time the decision had been made, he had already been approved to leave. However, even though the ICC strongly reprimanded South Africa, they decided on Thursday not to refer South Africa to the UN Security Council. Since his conviction in 2009, many other countries have also allowed him entrance without fear of arrest. This raises the concern that those convicted for genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity, will not be held accountable by the international community.

On July 12, President Trump decided to delay a decision on sanctions in Sudan. President Obama decided in January that Sudan was working on meeting requirements to lift sanctions and temporarily lifted them. He then tasked Trump with deciding whether to permanently remove them or reinforce them. This has raised a lot of debate as to which option will be more effective in promoting improvement in the country. Some argue that lifting them will prompt Sudan to be more willing to listen and make positive changes, but others argue that it will just allow the regime to continue committing human rights abuses against its citizens unabated. 53 members of Congress called on President Trump to delay the decision for a year. Notably, most senior staff positions in the U.S. State Department have not been filled, which is problematic because these staffers would likely be responsible for making the decision on Sudan sanctions.

South Sudan

For the second year in a row, South Sudan did not celebrate its independence day on July 9, because the government does not feel that it can spend money on a celebration when much of the country is living in extreme poverty and lacking basic human needs. Martha Athieng, whose husband and mother-in-law have both been killed since the fighting began, described the initial joy felt and celebrations held when South Sudan became independent. “We all hoped for a better life,” she remembers. “We never knew we’d start killing each other.” President Kiir called on opposition groups to respect the ceasefire and stop fighting.

South Sudan’s government has asked donors to fund more than one third of its new budget, because they do not have the resources to fully cover it. However, most countries are skeptical due to ongoing conflict and corruption. The country wants to avoid borrowing money from the central bank. Their oil production has been seriously harmed due to the conflict and in order to export, they must pay heavy fees to Sudan in order to use their infrastructure. The value of the pound in South Sudan has plummeted.

Millions of civilians are at risk of famine in the country and they now face a possible cholera epidemic. Similarly to Yemen, the country has few functioning medical facilities left and limited medications to help prevent the epidemic from spreading. About 8,000 have gotten sick in the last year and 250 have died, but experts believe this will only be a fraction of deaths that will occur from the disease.

Southeast Asia

Burma

One Rohingya man was killed and six were injured after a Buddhist mob attacked them with bricks on July 4. The Rohingya men were being escorted by police into Rakhine state’s capital from their displaced persons camp in order to buy boats. The mob attacked the men when they got into an argument with a Buddhist man over the price of a boat. The unarmed junior policeman who was accompanying them tried to help but was unable to and eventually fled. There is an investigation into the event, but no one has been arrested.

The UN is attempting to investigate the persecution and abuse of the Rohingya in Burma, but the Burmese government has said that it will not give the investigators visas to enter the country. The government has consistently denied that the Rohingya are facing discrimination and violence in the country or has stated that such reports are exaggerated. Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of the country, believes that an investigation will only increase ethnic tensions in the country. A UNHCR official, Fillipo Grandi, visited Burma for the first time at the beginning of July and urged the government to give the Rohingya people citizenship.

Three journalists were arrested on June 26 after covering a drug burning in the country. They were charged using a colonial era law. The drug burning was held by the TNLA, one of many ethnic minority armed groups in Burma fighting the government. This arrest raises concern about media freedom in the country.

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Hannah King a rising junior at Clark University in Worcester, MA. She majors in Sociology with a minor in Political Science and a concentration in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Hannah became involved in her STAND chapter this past year and is very excited to be interning with STAND in DC this summer!

This week’s update covers the escalating conflict between Séléka armed groups in the Central African Republic, and increasing economic issues in Nigeria. South Sudan also continues to struggle with issues of famine and starvation, resulting in an influx of refugees from South Sudan to Sudan. Two UN officials were kidnapped and killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Central and West Africa

Central African Republic

Twelve months after the peaceful election of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra in the Central African Republic (CAR), there was hope that the country could gradually recover from its lengthy conflict and begin to rebuild its security and economic sectors. Unfortunately, these hopes have been challenged by armed groups, who control most of the country outside of the capital of Bangui. Although the conflict was initially primarily religious—Christian militias rose up to defend themselves against the Séléka, a rebel coalition comprised largely of Muslims—its dynamic has greatly evolved. Because the two groups are geographically divided by a de facto partition between Christians in the south and Muslims in the north, violence between them has decreased. Instead, violence between different Séléka armed groups has emerged, with the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) and the Popular Front for the Renaissance in the Central African Republic (FPRC) as the two main factions. These two groups do not seem to possess any political or religious agenda—the latter has even aligned itself with Christian fighters; instead, both appear to be fighting primarily for territory and mineral resources.

Bambari is a particularly desirable territory because of its proximity to the Ndassima gold mine, notable iron ore deposits, and profitable sugar plantations. The FPRC recently sought to drive the UPC out of the city with approximately forty armed fighters, forcing the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) to employ an attack helicopter against the assault. Although the FRPC militia was successfully repulsed, aid agencies have warned of the humanitarian catastrophe that could erupt if fighting around the city intensifies. About a quarter of the civilians have already fled their homes, but 150,000 people remain in Bambari. Providing healthcare in the area has been incredibly challenging, particularly because the number of people living in camps or sleeping in the open air is increasing the likelihood of a malaria epidemic. The FPRC has also reportedly interfered with humanitarian access, threatening peacekeepers, aid workers, and civilians.

Although a United Nations-backed Special Criminal Court has been launched to address such war crimes, it is unclear how effective the court will be, particularly because of a lack of financial resources and political will. In an atmosphere of violence, it is unclear if it will be possible to prosecute militia leaders and end the culture of impunity that has contributed to the ongoing violence.

Nigeria

Led by Norway, donors at the Oslo summit pledged $672 million towards emergency humanitarian aid for Nigeria in an attempt to ameliorate a famine that could affect nearly three million people. The United States notably made no financial pledge at Oslo for the impoverished region that has suffered from both Boko Haram attacks and severe drought. Stephen O’Brien, the emergency relief coordinator at the United Nations, has said that the United States may yet donate money, but President Donald Trump’s talk of significantly reducing funding to both the United Nations and other international organizations aid makes this possibility far less certain.

The humanitarian crisis comes at a time when the Nigerian economy is in distress. Low levels of foreign reserves and a sharp decrease in oil reduction as a result of conflict in the Niger Delta are the two main reasons for the rapid economic decline. Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari’s economic policies have been blamed for the poor economy, particularly his refusal to devalue the naira. With Buhari on medical leave, however, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is moving ahead with aggressive reforms to end the economic woes. He visited the Niger Delta on March 2 in an attempt to strike a deal with the fighters who have been responsible for numerous attacks on the immensely important oil sector.

Suicide bombings by Boko Haram continue and recent attacks near Chibok, which became internationally known after terrorists kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls from the town, compelled thousands of people to flee. Recently, however, a report by Amnesty International was released detailing the significant human rights abuses committed by the Nigerian military during its fight against Boko Haram. On March 1, Major-General Lucky Irabor rejected the allegations of the report, arguing that his soldiers always act professionally and adhere to the rules of engagement. It is impossible to know if this is true given the poor track record of the military in Nigeria.

Sudan and South Sudan

On March 27, special representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, released a report, stating, “Boys and girls continued to be victims of grave violations committed by all parties to the conflict, including killing and maiming, sexual violence and attacks on schools and hospitals.” The report  details the impact of the armed conflict on children in Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Abyei between March 2011 and December 2016. It states, “In most cases, children were raped during attacks on their villages or while getting wood or water in the vicinity of camps for displaced people.”

The Citizen reports that since 2011, the Sudanese government has strengthened its national framework to protect children and has raised the minimum recruitment age for national forces to 18. The UN Secretary-General issued a report stating that fewer children have been recruited to armed groups since this policy was put in place.

On March 28, the UN refugee agency announced that more than 60,000 South Sudanese have entered Sudan in the first three months of 2017, already reaching the total annual number of South Sudanese refugees previously projected to enter the country for the year. South Sudan has declared a famine in parts of the country where approximately  100,000 people are reported to be suffering from starvation.

Great Lakes Region of Africa

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The United Nations has been struggling to maintain peace and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On March 13 the Congolese government reported that two UN officials and  four Congolese support staff had been kidnapped in the Kasai region. Their bodies were found two weeks later. The previous week, another UN peacekeeper was shot and killed in the area.

This news was released approximately a week before the United Nations reported the discovery of a number of mass graves in the Kasai region, where a rebellion has broken out in recent months. The graves were filmed by a Reuters journalist on March 11. Though initial news sources had reported three mass graves in the area, that number has since increased to eight and then to ten. The United Nations believes that the graves were dug by Congolese security forces and noted that in February more than 800 people were believed to have been killed in the region.

The United Nations stated on March 21 that the deteriorating security situation in the DRC since President Kabila’s refusal to step down from power has become a “source of major concern.” Concerns for the security of civilians have motivated  a number of human rights organizations to produce a report detailing the importance of security sector reform in Congo.The likelihood of Congolese elections in 2017 remains a possibility, as various outlets continue to offer mixed support. The head of MONUSCO claimed as of March 21, more than 19 million voters had been enrolled with their support, and that the enrollment process should be completed by the end of March. Their support is accompanied by pressure from the UN to implement the agreement to hold 2017 elections, signed at the end of 2016.

Activists in the DRC are less optimistic about the potential to see elections in 2017, however. Fred Bauma, a prominent youth activist, warned, “there is no political will from either side to hold elections in the DRC.” He also questioned whether outside funding for the elections from the US, EU, or UK would be provided to ensure that the elections occur.

Burundi

In Burundi, human rights violations continue, natural disasters are taking a toll on local communities, and the International Development Association is providing funding for those in poverty.

A number of bodies have been found in the aftermath of ethnic and political violence in Burundi. On March 20, the body of police officer Charles Ndihokubwayo was  found in Ntahangwa, one among upwards of 60 bodies reported by human rights organization Ligue ITEKA in Burundi. In addition to these killings, disappearances continue to take place throughout the country, as notable journalists such as Jean Bigirmana are still missing after almost eight months of searching. Sources on this particular disappearance claim that he was abducted by the National Intelligence Service, raising concern over Burundian rights to freedom of expression and information. NGOs in Burundi continue to raise concerns over broader rights violations, including “extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and torture, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment to public members.”

Torrential rain in Bujumbura has resulted in flooding and landslides, leading to the deaths of at least six people, numerous injuries, and the destruction of over 162 homes. On March 18, it was reported that the rainfall had dropped more than a month’s worth of water on the city in a few hours. Those impacted by the rainfall have been seeking support from neighbors and family members as they attempt to respond to the destruction.

The International Development Association will work through the World Bank to provide $40 million to support those in poverty in Burundi. The money will be distributed to 48,000 households in four regions of Burundi and will be given to women, who are traditionally responsible for handling budgets in the household. Independent agencies who monitor corruption have been calling for the establishment of  an independent commission that would circumvent the government and ensure that the money reaches those who need it most.

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Justin Cole is STAND’s Central and West Africa Coordinator. He is a Junior at UNC Chapel Hill where he majors in Economics and Peace, War, and Defense.

Elizabeth Westbrook is STAND’s Great Lakes of Africa Coordinator. She is a Junior at UNC Chapel Hill where she is a Political Science major.

Joanna Liang is STAND’s Sudan and South Sudan Coordinator. She is a Junior at the University of Delaware where she majors in History Education.

This week’s update focuses on failing peace talks in South Sudan and Burundi; hunger and famine in South Sudan and Nigeria; the proposed halt to the US conflict minerals rule, which will affect progress made on armed group funding, supply chain transparency, and money laundering; renewed fighting in the Central African Republic; and protests against Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari.

South Sudan

On February 7, The Sudan Tribune published a report that two women have died from starvation in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state. The incident reflects the food security difficulties that South Sudan is currently facing.

Since South Sudan’s controversial 2015 peace deal has created controversy because it requests that rebels who fought the administration of President Salva Kiir return to Juba, the capital city of South Sudan. The peace deal was administered by the former Botswana president Festus Mogae, who serves in the Joint Evaluation and Monitoring Commission (JMEC). Mogae reportedly said to the BBC that former Vice President Riek Machar should not return to Juba. These comments have raised the concerns of human rights experts who believe that Mogae’s remarks show favoritism toward the government of South Sudan. As the administrator of the peace deal, Mogae should not show favoritism to either side.

On February 17, South Sudanese minister of Labor Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam joined the side of the rebels, marking the second high-level resignation this week from the government. The defection was confirmed at a news conference in Juba on Friday.

On the same day, a senior UN human rights official called for the need for accountability for “those committing atrocity crimes in conflict-torn South Sudan.” UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Andrew Gilmour said, “This is a war that has been waged against the men, women and children of South Sudan, and the only way of ending this onslaught will be when the perpetrators face consequences for what they’re doing.” Mr. Gilmour travelled to the country last month, where he observed the devastation and human rights abuses suffered by civilians. Gilmour went on to emphasize his frustrations with the limited access available to the UN Mission to South Sudan, whose mission is to protect and provide humanitarian assistance to civilians.

Great Lakes Region of Africa

Burundi

Peace dialogue in Burundi is crumbling as the government continues to refuse to participate. The Burundian government’s refusal to participate lies in the invitation of groups who they do not consider peaceful stakeholders. Meanwhile, the National Council for the Respect of the Arusha Accord (CNARED), an opposition group predominantly in exile, complained that Benjamin Mkapa, former president of Tanzania and mediator of the talks, was not including all invested groups in the dialogue and was therefore failing to represent the views of the Burundian people. In an attempt to satisfy CNARED’s concerns, Mkapa agreed to allow individuals accused of participating in a 2015 coup attempt to participate in the discussion. This decision spurred the Burundian government’s refusal to continue the peace talks, leading many in the region to doubt that the dialogue will see any success. The talks were scheduled to run from February 16 to 18, but the Burundian government refused to send representatives.

The government in Burundi maintains that the political crisis has ended and that Burundi is now a safe country, issuing a call for refugees to return home. The response from surrounding countries has been hesitant at best. In Uganda, contradictory statements have been made regarding the return of refugees to Burundi. The Minister for Disaster Preparedness Hillary Onek said that refugees would receive a three-month extension if they desired to stay, but the minister’s deputy Musa Ecweru claimed that the laws regarding refugees require that their return be voluntary. The Commissioner for Refugees of the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Kazungu Apollo, released a clarification that Uganda will support Burundians seeking asylum until they feel it is unsafe for them to return home.

The UN peacekeepers Burundi has sent to other countries, especially Somalia, have provided a source of financial support to the country’s defense department. The continued use of Burundian peacekeepers has raised concerns that the UN is indirectly funding repression in Burundi. Though the European Union pays the Burundian soldiers’ salaries, it has requested that the African Union find a way to pay Burundian peacekeepers without passing through Burundian banks.  

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Although pressure has been applied to the Congolese government to hold elections in 2017, the budget minister claimed on February 15 that “it would be difficult to gather the necessary $1.8 billion” for the election. The minister, Pierre Kangudia, claims that the government does not have the money to host elections in 2017 come just twelve days after the death of opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi. Tshisekedi was expected to lead a transitional government with the current President Kabila until elections could be held later this year. His death, along with the statements from the budget minister, have led to a renewed uncertainty about the future of democracy in DRC. The minister also stated that “we have to fill the holes before we can even put anything in it [the treasury],” a reference to the corruption present in the country.

Meanwhile, President Trump re-ignited a conversation about conflict minerals and the Dodd-Frank law in the United States when a directive was leaked that would temporarily suspend the Dodd-Frank law for two years. The executive order declared that the secretary of the treasury would “review regulations on financial institutions and report back specific recommendations.” The Dodd-Frank act requires US firms to “declare where they’re sourcing their gold, tin, and other minerals, often used in consumer electronics.” Removing this piece of legislation, or even simply suspending it, could lead to a resurgence in investment in conflict minerals: gold, tin, tungsten, and tantalum. In eastern Congo, armed rebel groups sell these resources to fund violent activities, and this policy change opens the possibility of a backslide in improvements made in responsible sourcing practices in the past few years.

Violence between the government and various militias in the DRC continues. Over a five-day span from February 9 to February 13, soldiers killed at least 101 people in an altercation with the Kamwina Nsapu group in central Congo. UN human rights spokesperson Liz Throssell accused the troops of “firing indiscriminately” and using “excessive and disproportionate” force to handle the situation. The deaths of 39 women in this altercation support the accusation. The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC also stated that the Kamwina Nsapu group had “committed violent atrocities and used child soldiers.”

Major armed groups active in the eastern DRC include the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which also carries out abuses in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), comprised predominantly of Rwandan Hutu linked to the 1994 genocide, the Forces for Patriotic Resistance in Ituri (FRPI), which is responsible for various abuses against civilians, local Mai-Mai community-based militias, and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed Ugandan group that has bases in eastern Congo.

Central and West Africa

Central African Republic (CAR)

In the last three weeks, the Central African Republic (CAR) has seen a resurgence of violence perpetrated by armed groups. On February 7, rebels killed at least five civilians after the Central African army, with support from UN peacekeepers, killed Youssouf Malinga, also known as “Big Man,” a leader of a local Muslim militia group, during an operation. Additionally, over two dozen were wounded, and two churches and a school were destroyed. Just four days earlier, a clash between two armed groups in Bocaranga killed civilians and compelled thousands to flee to nearby forests.

Much of this violence continues because of its political and economic expediency. Warlords continue to exploit religious tensions in the country to gain popular support and strengthen their political bargaining power, thus increasing their chances of earning a government position. Because the judicial system has been unwilling or unable to prosecute these individuals for their crimes, a culture of impunity has been created, encouraging such behavior. In fact, the idea of blanket amnesty for war crimes recently arose while President Faustin-Archange Touadéra was meeting with the leaders of several armed groups. Beyond political rewards, the revenue that armed groups obtain from natural resource extraction further incentivizes them to continue to perpetuate violence. This may be exacerbated if President Donald Trump follows through on a proposal that would suspend federal rules on conflict minerals. Members of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) say that this policy could lead to “the resurgence of armed groups controlling and exploiting minerals. This might ultimately lead to a generalised proliferation of terrorist groups, trans-boundary money laundry and illicit financial flows in the region.”

Much of the future of CAR depends on action taken by the international community. On February 15, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous warned the international community not to turn away from the country, as armed groups remain a grave threat. As such, the peacekeeping force in the country has changed its deployment to more effectively protect the country. Regional organizations have also gotten involved, with the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States, and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region launching a joint-initiative for a national peace and reconciliation agreement. Only concerted international attention will allow this lengthy conflict and humanitarian crisis to cease.

Nigeria

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), at least half a million children under the age of five in northeastern Nigeria will suffer from severe acute malnutrition during this upcoming year, leading up to twenty percent of them to die, unless more aid is given. At least fourteen million require some type of humanitarian assistance. The hunger crisis in the northeast is caused primarily by Boko Haram, whose attacks have displaced millions of farmers, significantly reducing their ability to farm. The man-made famine is the first in over a decade. Donor countries from 14 countries pledged to scale up funding for vulnerable groups threatened by famine at the Oslo conference last month.

Thousands of Nigerians are expressing their grievances at the present humanitarian situation by protesting the government of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Although much of Boko Haram has been defeated, citizens believe Buhari has failed in his other responsibilities related to eliminating corruption, bolstering the education system, and promoting economic growth. In particular, the economy has suffered under Buhari with plummeting exchange rates and virtually non-existent foreign direct investment. Anger is exacerbated by Buhari’s decision to receive medical treatment outside of the country, attesting to his lack of trust in local healthcare. Concern for the president’s health—and questions about whether it may be worse than government officials are saying—is putting further pressure on the government and raising concerns about the continued functioning of the political system.

Both Boko Haram and other militants in the Niger Delta continue to pose a problem in Nigeria. Seven suicide bombers, six of whom were women, launched an attack in Maiduguri on February 16. Though there were no civilian casualties during this attack, such attacks continue to occur with regularity around the country. Horrifically, Boko Haram is now deploying children as young as nine, who are able to get through security checkpoints more easily. The petroleum minister of Nigeria also recently announced that armed groups in the Niger Delta cost the  country between $50 and $100 billion in oil revenue as it was forced to cut back production by nearly two hundred thousand barrels per day. Although a detailed plan has recently been released to end the insurgency through development of infrastructure and social institutions, it remains to be seen whether Nigeria will have the financial or technical capacity to effectively do the job.

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Justin Cole is STAND’s Central and West Africa Coordinator. He is a Junior at UNC Chapel Hill where he majors in Economics and Peace, War, and Defense.

Elizabeth Westbrook is STAND’s Great Lakes of Africa Coordinator. She is a Junior at UNC Chapel Hill where she is a Political Science major.

Joanna Liang is STAND’s Sudan and South Sudan Coordinator. She is a Junior at the University of Delaware where she majors in History Education.

Jason Qu is STAND’s Emerging Conflicts Coordinator, focusing today on Nigeria. He is a Senior at Bronx High School of Science.