Communiqué of the 1178th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council, Held on 10 October 2023, on Briefing by the International Committee of the Red Cross on its Activities and the Humanitarian Situation in Africa.

Abstract

While expressing grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation on the continent, especially in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel region, the Lake Chad Basin, and some parts of northern and southern Africa, due to armed conflicts, violent extremism, and the increasing impact of disasters related to climate change. Council commended the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its humanitarian efforts in Africa. Council also conveyed its sincere gratitude to all Member States for accepting refugees and internally displaced people and urged them to keep their borders open and help those who are applying for asylum. In order to address the underlying core causes and drivers of violent conflicts on the Continent, the Council underlined the need for increased regional and international support as well as commitment. In addition, the council called for an immediately and unconditionally cessation of hostilities in all conflict areas in Africa. Finally, Council (i) demanded the warring parties to create humanitarian corridors, permit unrestricted humanitarian access to those in need, evacuate all injured parties, and ensure the safety of humanitarian actors and (ii) all parties involved in the conflict were strongly urged to fully observe and abide by the 1949 Geneva Conventions on International Humanitarian Law.