Nine armed groups and weapon bearers pledge to take action on preventing conflict-related famine and food insecurity, and ensuring humanitarian access

Geneva Call recently hosted a regional conference that brought together representatives from nine armed groups and weapon bearers to address critical issues affecting civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Sudan and Burkina Faso. The groups pledged to contribute to the prevention of conflict-related food insecurity and to ensure safe humanitarian access amid ongoing conflicts.

A platform for mutual exchange

The Garance Talks, a two-day regional conference hosted by Geneva Call, facilitated multi-party dialogue on key humanitarian issues. Named after the organization’s headquarters in Switzerland, the event provided a neutral space where 14 representatives from Armed Groups and de facto Authorities (AGDAs) and weapon bearers from the DRC (2 groups), South Sudan (2), Sudan (4) and Burkina Faso (1) could exchange ideas and share best practices for upholding humanitarian norms in zones of conflict. 

The groups attending the conference were from regions suffering from prolonged insecurity, where millions of civilians endure hardship caused by food insecurity and the obstruction of humanitarian efforts in some of the most food insecure contexts in the world (see the IPC Mapping Tool). Over the years, Geneva Call has remained dedicated to sustaining humanitarian dialogue with these groups, with the aim of fostering lasting behavioral change which contributes to the protection of civilians.

In her opening remarks to the conference, Mehwash Ansari, Geneva Call’s Regional Head of Programme for Africa, said: “These dialogues allow the groups we work with to address common challenges, such as food insecurity and humanitarian access, and discuss practical solutions. By sharing experiences, groups which participate in the Garance Talks can find better ways to protect civilians.”

Identifying best practices and solutions

Discussions and group exercises highlighted the significant role armed groups play in exacerbating food insecurity—through actions like looting crops, damaging vital water and irrigation systems, and obstructing aid convoys.

Possible solutions were discussed and adding steps on how to prevent food insecurity to armed groups’ codes of conduct was identified as a key measure, as was sanctioning breaches to these codes of conduct.

A DRC AGDA representative said: “Each armed group has its ideas, but food security is vital, and we identify members who breach our rules and punish them, which also serves as a warning to new recruits. Our goal is to protect our populations. Dialogue and mutual information exchange have become a priority in this context.” 

The nine groups attending the conference highlighted other impacts armed conflicts have on food security in areas where farming is sometimes carried out by both men and women, including sexual and gender-based violence. More generally, they underlined the importance of protecting food systems-related activities such as growing crops and livestock herding, and the need to safeguard functioning markets. Reducing and controlling taxation and checkpoints that pose barriers to the safe transportation of food commodities and thereby affect food prices and food security was another key point raised by the participants. 

Addressing humanitarian access challenges 

The topic of humanitarian access was also a key focus of the conference. Restrictions on movement, denial of access to aid organizations, and hostility toward humanitarian workers continue to block aid.  

A South Sudan armed group representative noted: “If an armed group doesn’t allow any humanitarian movement, it will be hard for the community to access humanitarian services. There needs to be a two-way conversation between the community and armed groups. We cannot discuss community welfare without considering the protection of both civilians and humanitarian workers.” 

“Ensuring that the population of eastern Congo has uninterrupted and safe access to humanitarian aid is essential,” concurred Geneva Call’s DRC Head of Program Jorge Munoz. “Humanitarian access must be guaranteed without interference. The high number of displacements has disrupted local food production, and creating conditions for assistance and the resumption of livelihoods is critical to preventing a deepening crisis.” 

Commitment to change 

At the conference’s conclusion, the group representatives issued a joint statement pledging to contribute to the prevention of conflict-related food insecurity and safe humanitarian access. 

“We thank Geneva Call for its work in many regions and for highlighting these important issues,” said a representative from another armed group from the DRC. “In our role to protect civilian populations, it is essential to act on food insecurity and safeguard humanitarian access.”

“IHL aims to protect civilians and others who are not participating in hostilities,” said Geneva Call’s Sudan Country Director, Arz Alam. “Such dialogue can improve the ability of armed groups to prevent and minimize harm to civilians, thus contributing to the adherence to humanitarian norms and principles and the alleviation of suffering among affected populations.” 

Ranjan Poudyal, Geneva Call’s South Sudan Country Director, added: “South Sudanese armed groups found the conference valuable in understanding regional issues related to conflict-induced food insecurity and humanitarian access. The discussions revealed that many of their challenges are shared by others, opening the door to practical solutions. They committed to changing certain behaviors, reducing food insecurity, and facilitating humanitarian access. Geneva Call will continue to support and follow up on these commitments.” 

“Geneva Call has gained a strong understanding of how conflict affects civilian populations, food security, and humanitarian access,” added  Mehwash Ansari, Geneva Call’s Regional Head of Programme for Africa. “The Garance Talks offer an opportunity to discuss these challenges with the groups we work with and share solutions. We are encouraged by the productive discussions which have taken place over the last two days. At the end of the conference, all participants signed a joint conference statement with a commitment to work towards several initiatives that were discussed and jointly agreed on. Within the statement, the representatives also committed to working closely with Geneva Call’s Country Teams to implement these initiatives. This commitment will be a stepping stone for further engagement, trainings, and a roll-out of some of these initiatives across the ranks of the groups.” 

Through ongoing dialogue, Geneva Call aims to build on the momentum from the conference to foster greater compliance with international norms and encourage armed groups and weapon bearers in the DRC, South Sudan, Sudan and Burkina Faso to play a more active role in alleviating civilian suffering in zones of conflict. 

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Geneva Call works to improve the protection of civilians in armed conflict by promoting respect among Armed Groups and de facto Authorities for international humanitarian norms and principles. To achieve this, we engage with AGDAs to raise their awareness about international humanitarian norms and principles and encourage them to comply with these standards by signing Deeds of Commitment and implementing tools to ensure compliance with humanitarian norms and principles. Read more about Geneva Call’s work at www.genevacall.org.