Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA), a pan-African humanitarian body, has urged the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson and African leaders convening in Addis Ababa to take immediate action to end the root causes of humanitarian crises on the continent.
In a letter addressed to AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on February 14, 2025, the organization stated “the scale of displacement demands renewed attention and even more decisive action.”
It also urged mobilizing additional resources from within the continent, particularly in view of the unpredictable nature of external support as recently demonstrated.
“We earnestly hope that this Summit will be remembered not just for its declarations but also for its renewed determination to take bold, decisive steps that match the magnitude of the human displacement crisis in our continent. AHA, for its part, remains committed to continuing its efforts and making meaningful contributions toward implementing AU decisions,” reads the letter to the outgoing AUC chairperson.
AHA also called for African states to take pragmatic action as the continent’s protracted challenges are mired in new humanitarian problems. The organization reiterated its message in a press statement released this week.
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With Africa being home to over 45 million forcibly displaced people, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and asylum seekers, the continent faces a deepening humanitarian crisis driven by conflict, political instability, climate change, and economic hardship. Over the years, the AU and its predecessor, the OAU, have adopted numerous and far-reaching normative and policy instruments to address these problems.
“Displacement is not just a humanitarian issue – it is, at its core, a crisis rooted in governance, development, and security challenges. AHA urges African leaders to earnestly recommit to the secession of hostilities in the continent; the promotion of lasting peace; the assurance of inclusive governance; as well as the creation of economic opportunities, all of which will thwart forced displacement at its source,” reads the statement.
The organization called on leaders to strengthen conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms by addressing governance deficits and ending resource-based conflicts through African-led peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts.
AHA wants to see African governments increase humanitarian funding and wean themselves off external aid, as well as implement the AU’s Kampala Convention, protecting the rights of displaced persons and holding perpetrators accountable.
AHA also urged for investment in sustainable livelihoods, environmental protection and early warning systems in the fight against climate change.
“We further appeal to African leaders to dedicate a specific date and place to address the subject matter in depth towards finding indigenous solutions to resourcing the continent’s humanitarian needs. The time is now for African solutions to Africa’s displacement crisis, with a view to fostering the goals of self-reliance, continental solidarity, and dignity of African peoples that are at the heart of the pan-African project,” reads the statement.
AHA is an NGO with over 30 years of operations in over 22 war-affected African countries.
“Africa is rich in resources. But due to conflict, we are depending on foreign aid instead of utilizing our own resources. If African leaders could end conflicts, our people could produce sufficiently and there would not have been a scenario where Africans panic because foreign aid stops,” said Dawit Zewde (PhD), president of AHA.
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