Overview

The rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and movement were repressed. Journalists, activists, critics and political opposition members faced arbitrary arrest and detention, and torture and other ill-treatment. A critic of the government was forcibly returned from Kenya and held in prolonged detention by the National Security Service. Government forces and armed groups committed serious human rights violations and abuses, including extrajudicial executions, unlawful killings, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, and the recruitment and use of children. A UN human rights body highlighted the continuing impunity enjoyed by senior officials responsible for serious human rights violations. Draft bills relating to past crimes and reparation were approved by the Council of Ministers. The humanitarian situation remained dire, and OCHA estimated that about 76% of the population needed humanitarian assistance during the year. Millions faced high levels of food insecurity. Health services were mainly provided by international donors. There were 2 million internally displaced people, and nearly 2.23 million people had sought refuge in neighbouring countries. Climate change-induced events, like floods and drought, left about 2 million people without food or agricultural land.