STRENGHTENING ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE EXTRACTIVE SECTOR

ICoCA’s Executive Director travelled to Zambia to participate in the 2025 African Business and Human Rights Forum, reinforcing the Association’s commitment to rights-respecting security across the continent. Together with CSO Members African Law Foundation and Centro Para Democracia e Direitos Humanos (CDD), ICoCA co-hosted the “Corporate Accountability Workshop: Private Security and Responsible Natural Resource Extraction”, convening government officials, companies, civil society organisations and community representatives.

Building on the ongoing EU-supported project, the workshop explored the challenges and responsibilities of private security providers operating in fragile or conflict-affected areas. Discussions highlighted the vital role of civil society in monitoring and reporting abuses linked to private security, the need for stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration and the importance of ensuring access to remedy for affected communities. Participants also examined ways to improve working conditions for security personnel.

ICoCA’s Executive Director contributed practical insights and case examples, encouraging stakeholders to move from commitments to concrete implementation. The engagement further deepened partnerships in the region and advanced collective efforts to promote accountable and human-rights-aligned security practices in the extractive sector.