At the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, the newly elected leadership, including Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Deputy Selma Malika Haddadi, faced intense pressure from civil society groups to act decisively. The recommendations call for accelerated actions in Eastern DRC, Sudan, and the Sahel region, including the deployment of a fact‐finding mission and stronger mediation efforts, to combat severe human rights violations and authoritarian practices.

Amnesty International has urged the incoming leadership of the African Union to prioritize human rights amid escalating conflicts in regions such as the DRC and Sudan. The call comes as the AU prepares for its leadership election during the 38th African Union Summit on February 15-16, 2025, where new leadership is expected to take decisive action in safeguarding human rights and upholding the rule of law.

The African Union has begun discussions with stakeholders to implement its Ten Year Action Plan to eradicate child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, and modern slavery, a plan adopted during the AU Summit in February 2020. This initiative aligns with international labor standards and aims to protect vulnerable children and workers across Africa.

The African Union announced its commitment to ending child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, and modern slavery through its Ten Year Action Plan adopted in February 2020. The initiative aims to mobilize continental efforts to protect vulnerable populations and advance human rights.

In January 2013, the African Union, in collaboration with ECOWAS, launched the African International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) as an effort to implement African-led security solutions and counter neocolonial influence in the region.