Resolution on the Renewal of the Mandate of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa - ACHPR/Res.155(XLVI)09

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) meeting at its 46th Ordinary Session held from 11 - 25 November 2009, in Banjul, The Gambia:

Considering its mandate to promote human and peoples’ rights and ensure their protection in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);

Recalling its Resolution Ref. ACHPR/Res.65(XXXIV)03 on the Report of the African Commission’s Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities adopted at its 34th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia from 6 – 20 November 2003;

Bearing in mind Resolution ACHPR/Res.123(XXXXII)07 on the Composition and Renewal for a period of two years the Mandate of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa adopted at its 42nd Ordinary Session held from 15 - 28 November 2007, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo;

Recalling that the African Commission established a Working Group composed of nine members, amongst them, three Members of the African Commission;

Noting with appreciation the work that Commissioner Musa Ngary Bitaye has done as a Member and Chairperson of the Working Group;

Further noting that the term of the Chairperson and members of the Working Group comes to an end on 5 December 2009;

Commending the work undertaken by the Working Group during the past two years in the discharge of its mandate;

Recognizing further the importance of the work of the Working Group in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous populations/communities in Africa and the necessity to allow the Working Group to continue to carry out its mandate;

Decides to:

1. Renew the mandate of Commissioner Musa Ngary Bitaye as Chairperson of the Working Group;
2. Renew the mandate of Commissioner Soyata Maiga as a member of the Working Group;
3. Renew the mandate of Commissioner Mumba Malila as a member of the Working Group;
4. Maintain the membership of the following experts:

• Mr. Mohammed Khattali;
• Ms. Marianne Jensen;
• Mr. Zephyrin Kalimba;
• Mr. Melakou Tegegn;
• Dr. Naomi Kipuri;
• Dr. Albert Barume.

Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 25 November 2009.