The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 85th Ordinary Session, held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 07 to 30 October 2025:
Recalling its mandate of promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter);
Noting its protection mandate which involves the consideration of Communications alleging human rights violations against State Parties to the African Charter, pursuant to Articles 48, 49 and 55 of the African Charter;
Considering Rule 25(1) of its 2020 Rules of Procedure which stipulates that the Commission can create subsidiary mechanisms such as Special Rapporteurs, Committees and Working Groups;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.194(L)11 adopted during the 50th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 24 October to 05 November 2011 which established the Working Group on Communications (the Working Group) and appointed its Members;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.212(EXT.OS/XI)2012 adopted during the 11th Extra-Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, held from 21 February to 01 March 2012, defining the mandate of the Working Group;
Further recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.227(LII)2012 on the extension of the mandate and modification of the composition of the Working Group adopted during the 52nd Ordinary Session, held from 09 to 22 October 2012, in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire;
Noting Resolutions ACHPR/Res.255 (LIV) 2013, ACHPR/Res.314 (LVII) 2015, ACHPR/Res.538 (LXXIII) 2022 and ACHPR/Res.600 (LXXXI) 2024 on the renewal of the mandate of the Working Group;
Further noting Resolutions ACHPR/Res.385 (LXI) 2017 and ACHPR/Res.502 (LXIX) 2021 on the Renewal of the Mandate and Reconstitution of the Working Group;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.425 (LXV) 2019 which renewed the mandate of all its Special Mechanisms, including the Working Group for a period of six (6) months, with effect from 10 November 2019;
Noting with satisfaction the work done by the Working Group under the leadership of Commissioner Marie-Louise Abomo in the discharge of its mandate;
Taking into consideration the election of Commissioner Idrissa Sow as the Commission’s Chairperson during the 85th Ordinary Session;
Decides to appoint and reconstitute the Membership of the Working Group as follows:
i. Commissioner Marie-Louise Abomo, Chairperson;
ii. Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela, Vice-Chairperson;
iii. Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Member;
iv. Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Member;
v. Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, Member.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 30 October 2025
