The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 86th Ordinary Session, held virtually from 23 February to 09 March 2026;
Observing that elections will be held in the following State Parties in 2026 including, in the Republics of Congo, Benin, Djibouti, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Algeria, Sao Tome & Principe, Zambia, Guinea Bissau, Gambia and Guinea;
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Recalling further Article 13(1) of the African Charter which provides that “every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of his country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives in accordance with the provisions of the law;”
Noting Article 4(m) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union which sets out as one of its fundamental principles, the respect for democratic rules, human rights, the rule of law and good governance;
Considering the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (the African Charter on Democracy) which emphasizes the importance of entrenching a political culture of change of power based on the holding of regular, free, fair and transparent elections conducted by competent, independent and impartial national electoral bodies;
Cognizant of Article 9 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa which calls on State Parties to take specific positive action to promote participative governance and the equal participation of women in the political life of their countries through, inter alia, affirmative action and enabling national legislation;
Bearing in mind its previous Resolutions on Elections, including: Resolutions ACHPR/Res.23 (XIX) 96; ACHPR/Res.133 (XXXXIIII) 08; ACHPR/Res.164 (XLVII) 2010; ACHPR/Res.174 (XLVIII) 2010; ACHPR/Res.232 (EXT.OS/XIII) 2013; ACHPR/Res.239 (EXT.OS/XIV) 2013; ACHPR/Res. 272 (LV) 2014; ACHPR/Res.293 (EXT.OS/XVII) 2015; and ACHPR/Res. 331 (EXT.OS/XIX) 2016;
Noting Resolution ACHPR.Res.580(LXXVIII)2024 on Internet Shutdowns and Elections in Africa which condemns the trend of Internet blackouts in Africa, particularly before, during and after elections, which interfere with freedom of expression and access to information, and can have an impact on the conduct of free and democratic elections;
Further noting Resolution ACHPR/Rés.515(LXX) 2022 on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa which condemns military takeovers and other forms of unconstitutional changes of government in Africa;
Deeply concerned by reports of widespread human rights violations which occurred in the context of elections in 2025, including in the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Cameroun, as well as the interruption of the conclusion of elections in Guinea Bissau by a military coup orchestrated by the incumbent;
Further concerned about the increasing incidents of violent repression of the electorate during electoral periods, including through intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention, physical assault, enforced disappearance, unlawful surveillance and other forms of digital violence, and suspension of civil society organizations;
Cognizant of the rise in misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the emergence of Artificial intelligence tools, which make elections more vulnerable to disruption and manipulation.
The Commission:
(i) Calls on States Parties to:
a) Ensure adherence with the African Charter, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, in addition to other relevant regional and international human rights instruments, before, during and after the electoral process;
b) Allow opposition parties to participate freely and fully in electoral processes in accordance with human rights standards, enable freedom of expression and assembly and avoid the use of security forces against opposition electoral campaigns and peaceful protests on allegations of electoral fraud;
c) Ensure that Constitutional provisions and electoral laws on Presidential terms limits are respected;
d) Respect the independence of the national electoral body responsible for the management of elections, and ensure its autonomy by provision of sufficient resources to carry out its mandate;
e) Prevent, investigate and prosecute human rights violations which occur before, during and after the election period and provide adequate redress to victims;
f) Cease all interruption of telecommunications services, shutting down or throttling of the internet, in addition to disrupting access to any other digital communication platforms before, during and after the elections;
g) Ensure that the integrity of elections is protected against disinformation and other emerging threats by countering this threat before, during and after elections through, inter alia, establishing robust monitoring systems and clear legal frameworks;
(ii) Reiterates its call to States Parties which have not done so, to sign and ratify the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and ensure its effective domestication and implementation.
(iii) Calls on the African Union ensure that its pronouncements are guided by and reflect the findings of the independent electoral observers
Done virtually on 09 March 2026
