Quid des droits humains dans les relations internationales africaines ?

This research paper by Mireille Affa’a Mindzie, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in August 2009, examines the role of human rights in African international relations. It analyzes the tension between the formal commitment to international human rights standards and the practical application of these standards in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, where national interests and the pursuit of 'African solutions to African problems' often take precedence.

• While Africa has established formal human rights monitoring bodies, such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and the African Union's Peace and Security Council, human rights often function as a 'variable concern' in practice, frequently superseded by national interests.
• The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, created in 1987, has gained credibility and visibility over time but remains limited by a lack of official follow-up mechanisms and the limited enforcement of its recommendations.
• Western democracies, particularly the European Union, have used human rights as a condition for trade and development aid, such as through the 2000 Cotonou Agreement. However, this approach has been viewed by some African countries as interventionist and an intrusion into national sovereignty.
• China's economic emergence provides African nations with an alternative to Western conditionalities due to China's policy of non-interference in domestic affairs. However, this approach may encourage corruption, fuel armed conflicts, and facilitate human rights violations.
• The case of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir illustrates the conflict between international justice and regional solidarity. While the ICC issued an arrest warrant in 2009, many African states and the AU resisted, citing a perceived bias against Africa and a preference for 'African solutions to African problems'.
• Historical ties, such as colonization, have often hindered the promotion of human rights in bilateral relations. For example, France's strategic and historical links with Chad, Gabon, the DRC, and Cameroon have allowed autocratic regimes to persist despite democratic rhetoric.

APA

Mindzie, M. A. (2009). Quid des droits humains dans les relations internationales africaines ? South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Occasional-Paper-39-FR.pdf

Chicago

Mindzie, Mireille Affa’a. Quid des droits humains dans les relations internationales africaines ? South African Institute of International Affairs, 2009. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Occasional-Paper-39-FR.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mindzie |first1=Mireille Affa’a |title=Quid des droits humains dans les relations internationales africaines ? |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=August 2009 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Occasional-Paper-39-FR.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mindzie2009quid, author = {Mindzie, Mireille Affa’a}, title = {{Quid des droits humains dans les relations internationales africaines ?}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2009}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Occasional-Paper-39-FR.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }