G20 summit commits to peace in Africa and the world

Ongoing violence, warfare and reported atrocities in central and east Africa did not escape the notice of G20 leaders at the weekend’s Johannesburg summit with its declaration affirming efforts at comprehensive and lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan as well as international hotspots Gaza and Ukraine.

Ahead of the summit, the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and its peacekeeping mission in DRC – MONUSCO – spoke out in the wake of “truly horrific massacres” and “grave and ongoing atrocities”.

EU European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas went on record three days ahead of the Johannesburg summit saying the over two years of war in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), among others: “Deliberate targeting of civilians, ethnically motivated killings, systematic sexual and gender-based violence, starvation as a method of warfare and denying access for humanitarian aid are serious breaches of international humanitarian law and international human rights law”.

Going further her statement reads: “The EU stresses the need to ensure immediate, unconditional, safe and unhindered humanitarian access in full compliance with international humanitarian law. No administrative fees or taxes must be imposed on humanitarian actors, the issuance and renewal of visas and travel permits must be expedited. Arbitrary expulsion of humanitarian staff cannot occur. The UN must be allowed permanent presence in Darfur and other areas beyond the control of the SAF (Sudan Armed Forces).

“In the longer term, only a broad Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned inclusive political process can address the grievances that fuel conflicts in Sudan, such as the marginalisation of peripheries. The EU will engage with all parties to the conflict and will step up its support to the dialogue among the Sudanese civilian political groups, in close collaboration with the African Union (AU), IGAD (Inter-governmental Authority on Development), the Quad members (United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt), and other partners.”

The UN, by way of spokesman Stephan Dujarric, also speaking ahead of the Johannesburg summit, called attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in DRC province North Kivu “deadly violence” and “one of the most appalling attacks in a new wave of violence” that left 89 Congolese non-combatants dead. His words were echoed in a MONUSCO statement which added it remained “fully committed to standing with communities and will continue to support the Congolese authorities in their efforts to protect civilians, prevent human rights violations and combat impunity”.

Also on peace, both continentally and internationally, the G20 summit declaration condemned terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations”.