The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 85th Ordinary Session held from 21 to 30 October 2025 in Banjul, Gambia
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples' rights in Africa, pursuant to Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (African Charter);
Considering that the African Charter, guaranteeing freedom of movement and freedom of residence to any individual within a State, subject to respect for the law, recognizes that when a person is persecuted, he or she has the right to seek and obtain asylum in other countries, in accordance with the respective legislation of the said countries and international law;
Bearing in mind the adoption and entry into force of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa;
Bearing in mind also the adoption in 2009 and entry into force in 2012 of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention);
Recalling its decision, taken at its 35th Ordinary Session held from 21 May to 4 June 2004 in Banjul (Gambia), to set up a Special Mechanism on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Displaced Persons in Africa;
Bearing in mind Resolution ACHPR/Res.72 (XXXVI) 04 adopted at its 36th Ordinary Session held from 23 November to 7 December 2004 in Dakar (Senegal), which appoints the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Displaced Persons in Africa and defines his mandate;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.95 (XXXIX) 06, which extends the mandate of the Special Rapporteur to cover issues relating to migrants;
Considering its Resolutions ACHPR/Res.160 (XLVI) 09, ACHPR/Res.187 (XLIX) 11, ACHPR/Res.203 (L) 11, and ACHPR/Res.577 (LXXVII) 23, appointing the various Special Rapporteurs on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Recalling its Resolutions ACHPR/Res.246 (LIV) 13, ACHPR/Res.318 (LVII) 15, ACHPR/Res.379 (LXI) 2017, ACHPR/Res.425 (LXV) 2019, ACHPR/Res.450 (LXVI) 2020 and ACHPR/Res.525 (LXIII) 2022 on the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Also bearing in mind its Resolutions ACHPR/Res.234 (LIII) 13 and ACHPR/Res.277 (LV) 14, respectively on the need to conduct a study on nationality and the elaboration of a draft Protocol on the Right to Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa;
Considering the need to pursue efforts with States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights with a view to adopting the Draft Protocol to the African Charter on the Right to Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa;
Taking into account the deteriorating situation of refugees, asylum seekers, displaced persons and migrants;
Considering the need to continue advocating for the ratification of the Kampala Convention and its effective implementation on the continent by States Parties;
Reiterating the importance of the mechanism of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa, particularly in the context of climate change and environmental degradation;
Noting with satisfaction the work accomplished by Commissioner Selma Sassi-Safer in her capacity as Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Considering further the need for the Special Mechanism on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa to continue to fulfil its mandate;
Decides to renew the mandate of Commissioner Selma Sassi-Safer as Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa for a period of two years (2), starting on 30 October 2025.
Done in Banjul, Gambia, 30 October 2025
