PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CONVENING OF THE VALIDATION WORKSHOP ON THE DRAFT STUDY ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA
1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), through its Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa (WGIPM), is convening a two-day Validation Workshop on the Draft Study on Indigenous Populations and Communities in Africa from 7–8 February 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2. The Workshop forms part of the ACHPR’s mandate under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights, including by undertaking studies and research and engaging relevant stakeholders. The Workshop is also held in implementation of Resolution ACHPR/Res.646 (LXXXV) 2025, adopted during the Commission’s 85th Ordinary Session (7–30 October 2025), which mandates the Working Group to continue with the study and calls for an inclusive stakeholder validation process supported by the Secretariat.
3.The Draft Study constitutes a follow-up to the landmark 2003/2005 Reports of the African Commission on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa and updates and supplements that continental mapping exercise in light of developments over the past two decades.
4. The primary objective of the validation workshop is to provide an inclusive platform for Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and other relevant stakeholders to review, enrich, and validate the Draft Study before its Publication and eventual submission to the Ordinary Session of the African Commission at its 87th Ordinary Session in May 2026 for consideration.
The Workshop aims to:
(i) present the Draft Study for review and validation by Indigenous representatives from all regions of Africa;
(ii) strengthen ownership of the study among Indigenous populations and communities;
(iii) enrich the study through regional and thematic inputs reflecting current realities; and
(iv) enhance the visibility and recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights within the African human rights system and the African Union framework.
The Workshop shall bring together Indigenous representatives and other participants with expertise on Indigenous Peoples’ rights from across the five regions of Africa, including expert members and former expert members of the Working Group, as well as representatives from relevant African Union Commission departments, partners, and invited experts, including the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Draft Study has undergone technical review by expert members of the Working Group, and the stakeholder validation process is intended to enhance its legitimacy, quality, and practical impact, consistent with established Commission practice.
The African Commission reiterates its commitment to advancing the rights of Indigenous populations and communities in Africa and looks forward to constructive engagement and meaningful contributions from all participants during the validation process.
Banjul, The Gambia | 6 February 2026
Hon. Comm. Dr. Litha Musymi-Ogana
Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities
(WGIPM)
