African Human Rights Day: A Call to Action for African Governments to Protect Citizens Abroad

As the African continent prepares to mark African Human Rights Day on October 21, 2024, the African Union, regional institutions, and African states are being urged to deploy all efforts and available resources to protect African citizens abroad and everywhere.

The call to action comes as African lives continue to be defined by twin deficits of dignity and protection, rendering African nationals into non-persons or a race of expendable people. This is evident in the treatment of African students who fled the war in Ukraine in 2022, only to be met with racism and denied access to relief services available to Ukrainians.

Similarly, the ongoing war in Sudan has resulted in the largest displacement crisis in the world, with over 10.8 million internally displaced persons and an estimated two million refugees in neighboring countries. The African Union has been criticized for its lack of institutional support in responding to the crisis.

In Lebanon, African migrants, mostly employed as domestic workers, are experiencing similar discrimination and cruel treatment under the Kafala system. The system encourages the confiscation of identity documents by employers, leaving many Africans exposed to de facto statelessness or failure of protection.

According to Chepkorir Sambu, a lawyer and researcher, and Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a professor of international human rights law, African governments have a primary duty to protect their citizens abroad. They argue that African governments can engage in immediate mitigation measures, such as organized evacuation, temporary relocation arrangements, and provision of basic assistance.

Furthermore, African governments must pursue justice on behalf of their citizens by way of diplomatic protection before international tribunals, if necessary. They can also bring to life the provisions of the 1969 OAU Convention and the Kampala Convention by creating institutions at the African Union level to implement them.

The establishment of a regional High Commissioner for Refugees, IDPs, and Distressed Migrants at the African Union level is also being proposed. This office would consolidate and coordinate advocacy and mobilization of assistance to African populations confronted by war and humanitarian crises within and outside Africa.

As the African continent marks African Human Rights Day, it is imperative that African governments take concrete steps to protect their citizens abroad and everywhere. This is not only a moral obligation but also a primary duty that African governments owe to their citizens.

Related Stories:

• African Union Urged to Establish Regional High Commissioner for Refugees
• African Governments Criticized for Lack of Support for Citizens Abroad
• African Human Rights Day: A Call to Action for African Governments

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Share your thoughts on the need for African governments to protect their citizens abroad. What steps do you think African governments can take to address the twin deficits of dignity and protection faced by African nationals?