The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting at its 24th Ordinary Session from 22 - 30 October 1998 in Banjul, The Gambia:
Recalling the adoption of the protocol by the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, held from 8 - 10 June 1998, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and its signature by 32 African countries;
Considering that the protocol on the African Court has been ratified by only two States, out of the 53 States Parties to the African Charter;
Also considering the serious and troubling state of human rights in Africa, especially, in zones of conflict, and taking into account the need to guarantee and protect human rights by an effective, independent and impartial African Court, which would perfectly complement the mission of the African Commission;
Appeals to the States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to activate the appropriate constitutional procedures in order for them to sign and ratify the protocol on the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights within the shortest possible time.
Banjul, 31st October 1998.
