83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
2 to 22 May 2025
INTERSESSION REPORT
By
Ms. Selma SASSI-SAFER
Commissioner of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
&
Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The present report gives an account, pursuant to Rules 25(3) and 64 of the Rules of Procedure (2020) of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), of the activities for the promotion and protection of human rights carried out during the intersessional period since the 81st Ordinary Session of the Commission held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 17 October to 6 November 2024.
2. The report outlines the activities carried out in my capacity as Commissioner, member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as those undertaken under the mandate entrusted to me as Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa, pursuant to Resolution ACHPR/Res.577 (LXXVII) 2023 on the appointment of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa.
3. It also provides an overview of the ratification status of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention), as well as that of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Relating to the Specific Aspects of the Right to a Nationality and Eradication of Statelessness in Africa.
4. The report includes an analysis of the situation of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and migrants across the continent, as well as an assessment of the human rights situation in the countries under my purview. It concludes with a set of recommendations addressed to various stakeholders.
II. ACTIVITIES OF THE SPECIAL MECHANISM
A. PROTECTION ACTIVITIES
5. In the exercise of the protection and promotion mandate entrusted to me as Country Rapporteur and Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa, I carried out the following activities:
1) Urgent Appeals
- Joint urgent appeal letter concerning the situation of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers and NGOs providing humanitarian assistance in the State of Libya, following a disinformation campaign on social media. (Libya, 28 April 2025)
- Joint urgent appeal letter on the detention of Moussa Tiangari, a journalist and secretarygeneral of Citizens’ Alternative Spaces (Alternative espaces citoyens, AEC) by the Nigerien state (Niger, 3 April 2025)
- Joint urgent appeal letter on the alleged human rights violations against the Amhara people in Ethiopia. (Ethiopia, 23 January 2025),
- Joint urgent appeal letter concerning allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of detainees in Qarnada prison in Libya (Libya, 22 January 2025),
- Joint urgent appeal letter regarding alleged violations of the right to freedom of expression by the State of Libya. (Libya, 4 November 2024)
- Urgent appeal letter concerning the repatriation of 4 Turkish refugees to Turkey by Kenya (Kenya, 31 October 2024)
2) Statements and Press Releases
- Press release on the situation of African migrant workers following the military escalation in Lebanon. (General, 28 October 2024),1
- Press release on the death of nearly 25 migrants off the coast of the Union of the Comoros 2, (12 November 2024)
- Joint statement by PIERR (Platform of Independent Experts on Refugee Rights) on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, "States must ensure effective enforcement of the rights of asylum-seeking, refugee and stateless women and girls: UN human rights experts" (PIERR, 10 December 2024),
- Press release on the human rights situation in the Republic of Niger, following the terrorist attacks against civilians in several localities in the west of the country, (Niger, 17 December 2024)
- Statement on the occasion of International Migrants Day (18 December 2024)
- Joint statement with PIERR on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Cartagena Declaration on Refugees emphasizing the need for cooperation and solidarity to protect refugees, displaced persons, and stateless individuals (PIERR, 18 December 2024) ,
- Press release on the forced displacement of persons in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the Province of North Kivu, following attacks by the Movement (M23), (DRC, 23 January 2025)
- Press release on the situation of sub-Saharan migrants in the State of Libya. (Libya, 3 February 2025) ,
- Press release on the occasion of the first anniversary of the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on Specific Aspects of the Right to a Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa. (General, 17 February 2025)
- Joint statement by the PIERR platform on the occasion of International Women’s Day, entitled: "The rights of refugee, asylum-seeking, and stateless women and girls must be protected on International Women’s Day, and every day." (PIERR, 7 March 2025)
In the press release, particular emphasis was placed on the adoption by the African Union of the Convention on Ending Violence against Women and Girls, with specific provisions on States’ obligations to address the multiple and interrelated factors that exacerbate violence against women and girls, including ensuring special protection for stateless, internally displaced, asylum-seeking and refugee women and girls, https://www.pierr.org/post/the-rights-of-refugee-asylum-seekingand-stat…;
- Press release on the deadly attack on a mosque in Fambita, in northwestern Niger, which resulted in dozens of civilian casualties. (Niger, 27 March 2025)
a) Congratulations Letters
- Letter of congratulations to the Republic of South Sudan on its accession to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (South Sudan, 9 December 2024)
- Joint letter of congratulations to the State of Libya on the election of the first female mayor in the history of the country (Libya, 30 January 2025)
B. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES
1) Status of Ratification of Conventions and Protocols under the scope of the mandate
a) African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention)
6. To date, thirty-four (34) States have ratified the Kampala Convention , ten (10) States have only signed it , and ten (10) States have neither signed nor ratified it. We would also like to point out that, as of today, only three (3) States—the Republic of Cameroon, Angola, and Burkina Faso—have submitted their initial reports under Article 14(4) of the Kampala Convention, in accordance with the general reporting obligation set forth in article 62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
7. We commend these States and call on the remaining States to follow suit in fulfilling their obligations under the Kampala Convention and in ensuring a more effective monitoring of its provisions with a view to improving the situation of internally displaced persons across Africa.
b) Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Relating to the Specific Aspects of the Right to a Nationality and Eradication of Statelessness in Africa.
8. Adopted during the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held from 17 to 18 February 2024 in Addis Ababa, this Protocol marks a historic milestone and a significant legal advancement for Africa. It establishes, on the one hand, a binding instrument that ensures the promotion, protection, and respect of the right to a nationality for every individual, a fundamental prerequisite for the effective exercise and protection of all other human rights (provision of identity documents, access to education, healthcare, employment, social protection, and political rights (vote/be elected) and on the other hand, the prevention and eradication of statelessness, which is contrary to respect for the right to human dignity and to legal status. Prior to the adoption of this Protocol, the right
to a nationality was not fully recognized across the continent as a fundamental human right, and the existing legal framework did not offer sufficient protection for individuals.
9. As we commemorate the first anniversary of its adoption this year, it is regrettable that the Protocole has still not been signed or ratified. We therefore reiterate our appeal to the African Union Commission, UNHCR, civil society organizations, and all other partners to lend their support and contributions toward mounting a strong advocacy campaign for the ratification of this fundamental instrument, in alignment with the realization of the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, launched on 14 October 2024.
C. OTHER ACTIVITIES
1) Participation in Webinars, Conferences, and Other Meetings
10. On 20 November 2024, I participated in a webinar organized by the NGO Equality Now, on "Mobilizing Civil Society for Nationality Rights in Africa: Advancing the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Right to Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa". During this webinar, I delivered the opening remarks, in which I emphasized that the adoption of this Protocol constitutes a historic moment and a major legal milestone for Africa. For the first time, the continent now has a binding legal instrument that ensures both the promotion and protection of the right to a nationality—a fundamental prerequisite for the exercise and realization of a wide range of human rights (the provision of identity documents, access to education, health care, employment, social protection, and political rights (vote/be elected…) and the prevention and eradication of statelessness, which is contrary to respect for the right to human dignity and to legal status.
11. And I reiterated that solving these issues in practice will require a continental ratification and the effective implementation of the provisions of the said Protocol and that the ACHPR firmly believes that this is a collective responsibility shared by all stakeholders, including civil society. In this context, I put forward a number of proposals to enhance the role of civil society as a key partner in the ratification process, including the development of an action plan, an advocacy strategy; awareness-raising and mobilization campaigns, and the engagement of various media platforms to raise awareness of the Protocol among all relevant actors.
12. On 20 November 2024, I also participated in the Conference on “Upholding International Protection Regimes Mixed Movements”, organized by the International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges (IARMJ) (Africa Chapter 2024 Bienniel Conference), along with other partners, held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (10–21 November 2024). I delivered a presentation on “Detention in the Context of Migration in Africa: The Need to Balance Security Considerations with Human Rights Obligations,” in which I emphasized that in order to strike a fair balance between legitimate security concerns and the protection of the fundamental rights of migrants’ in detention, African States must adopt two principal policy approaches: the establishment of the fundamental principle that the detention of migrants must be legal, necessary, exceptional, and a measure of last resort, and the development and implementation of alternatives to detention, which have increasingly proven effective, and most importantly, more humane and respectful of the fundamental rights of migrants.
13. This conference also provided an opportunity to highlight the numerous studies and soft law instruments adopted by the ACHPR on the matter, notably the African Guiding Principles on the Human Rights of All Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers (2023), as well as the Study on the Impact of Law Enforcement on Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants in Africa (2024), and the General Comment on Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
14. On 6 December 2024, I participated (virtually) in a regional roundtable on the "15th anniversary of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention"). The event was organized by the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). During the session, I delivered the opening remarks in which I highlighted the importance of this instrument for Africa, especially in the current context marked by millions of internally displaced persons due to conflict and climate change. I emphasized the need for continental ratification of the Convention, its domestic implementation through national legislation, ideally inspired by the African Union Model Law, and the pursuit of durable solutions.
15. On 12 December 2024, I participated in a webinar/roundtable on "commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons" organized by the UNHCR in partnership with the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness (PMCS). The discussion focused on the history, evolution, and continued relevance of the 1954 Convention in supporting the identification and protection of stateless persons. During the roundtable, I highlighted the manner in which the African Union has sought to interpret the protections enshrined in the 1954 Convention through the newly adopted Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Specific Aspects of the Right to a Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa (2024), while taking into account African specificities. This Protocol not only incorporates the general principles of the universal framework but also provides region-specific responses to the unique challenges and realities faced on the African continent. I also reiterated the advocacy work carried out by ACHPR, the African Union more broadly, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and individual African States to eradicate statelessness, while acknowledging the crucial support of specialized international organizations and civil society actors.
16. Finally, I emphasized the complementarity between the 1954 Convention, which remains the foundational and still-relevant instrument, and the Nationality/Statelessness Protocol, which has not yet entered into force, hence the need for African States to continue to commit to the 1954 Convention by ratifying it, for those who have not yet done so, and by effectively implementing its provisions, particularly through the adoption of domestication laws and appropriate policies and measures. In this context, I recalled the recent adoption by the PanAfrican Parliament of a Model Law on nationality and the eradication of statelessness, which could serve as a reference for States in this area.
17. On 12 November 2024, I participated via a video recording in the event commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Inter-American Principles on the Human Rights of All Migrants, Refugees, Stateless Persons, and Victims of Human Trafficking" adopted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in 2019. This occasion provided an opportunity to highlight the African equivalent of these principles, namely the African Guiding Principles on the Human Rights of All Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, adopted by the ACHPR in 2023. I also stressed the importance of creating synergies between the two Commissions to enable the mutual exchange of best practices and joint reflection on the challenges faced by migrants.
18. On 20 January 2025, I contributed in writing to the Study on Monitoring and Protecting Human Rights in the Context of Migration, particularly at international borders, conducted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
19. On 30 January 2025, I participated virtually in a meeting of the Platform of Independent Experts on Refugee Rights (PIERR), which focused primarily on the discussion of the 2025 work plan and the priority themes for the year.
20. On 20 February 2025, I took part in a webinar organized by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (a joint program of FIDH and OMCT) for the launch of its report: "Civic Space and Human Rights Defenders in the Sahel: A Regional Convergence of Repressive Practices". This webinar provided an opportunity to present the new report and to highlight the repression faced by many human rights defenders in various Sahel countries: Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad. It also allowed for in-depth exchanges with United Nations experts, members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and human rights defenders, on the regional context, as well as on proposed actions and recommendations to be addressed to key national, regional, and international actors.
21. On 13 March 2025, I delivered a lecture on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to students at the University of Ouargla in Algeria in which the Commission was presented, along with its mandate, achievements, and challenges. The lecture was followed by a discussion segment, during which many questions were raised, particularly regarding the obstacles that could prevent the Commission’s ability to fully and effectively carry out its mandate.
22. On 22 April 2025, I participated in a (virtual) panel discussion on “Human Rights and Regional Organizations: The Role of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the African Continent and Beyond”, organized by the Al Quds Human Rights Clinic of Al Quds University. The panel, which brought together students, academics, NGOs, and human rights defenders, provided an opportunity to present the (structure, powers and duties, and achievements) of the African Commission, and to highlight its role in the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights, both within and beyond Africa. Particular attention was given to the Commission’s actions in relation to violations committed in Palestine and the Occupied Territories, particularly its Resolution 611 (LXXXI)/2024.
23. On 28 April 2025, I held a meeting in Algiers with His Excellency Ambassador Jalel Chelba, Executive Director General of AFRIPOL, in the presence of Dr. Mohamed Benaired, Head of Training and Capacity Building Division. The main objective of the meeting was to present the “Study on the Impact of Law Enforcement on the Human Rights of Asylum Seekers, Refugees, and Migrants in Africa” and to discuss strategies for its dissemination with the support of AFRIPOL as a key partner. The meeting also addressed prospects for future collaboration between the ACHPR and AFRIPOL particularly through joint actions and activities, including online training and joint participation in the activities of both institutions.
2) Participation in Sessions and Other Meetings of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
24. From 29 November to 1 December 2024, I participated in the ACHPR Strategic Planning Meeting held in Dakar, Senegal, during which the 2024 Action Plan was reviewed, and the ACHPR’s Strategic Plan along with its 2025 Action Plan were adopted.
25. From 2 to 6 December 2024, I took part in the 37th Extraordinary Session of the ACHPR, also held in Dakar, Senegal, which focused primarily on administrative matters related to the work of the Commission. The final communiqué of the session, adopted on 6 December 2024, contains the outcomes of the said meeting .
26. From 25 February to 11 March 2025, I participated in the 82nd Private Ordinary Session of the ACHPR. During this session, the Commission examined and adopted a number of documents. Details of the session are contained in the final communiqué adopted on 11 March 2025, marking the conclusion of the said session’s proceedings .
3) Meetings of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
27. From 7 to 8 December 2024, I participated, in my capacity as Vice-Chairperson, in a consultation meeting of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the ACHPR’s draft Study on Integrating Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in National Development Planning in Africa held in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting was held in collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NAHRI), and the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria. This consultation provided an opportunity to engage with various partners and experts from the Working Group to discuss and enhance the key components of the study.
28. On 8 December 2024, (Dakar, Senegal), the Working Group held an evaluation and planning meeting, during which members engaged in a discussion/assessment of the 2024 workplan, as well as the planning of activities for 2025 and the next steps in its implementation.
4) Meetings Held Within the Framework of the Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan
29. As part of the work of the ACHPR Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan, established by Resolution ACHPR/Res.590 (LXXX) 2024 on the joint fact-finding mission to the Republic of Sudan, adopted during the 80th Private Ordinary Session of the ACHPR (24 July – 2 August 2024), I participated in several preparatory meetings ahead of the commencement of the oral hearings with the various stakeholders.
30. On 7 January 2025, I took part in an internal meeting with the Chairperson of the Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan, Commissioner Hatem Essaim, the Chairperson of the ACHPR, and the Executive Secretary, during which a roadmap for the activities of the said Mission was presented.
31. On 14 January 2025, I participated in an online meeting with the United Nations Human Rights Council's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, in my capacity as a member of the ACHPR Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan. The meeting provided an opportunity for both institutions to exchange views and discuss the working methodologies adopted by the UN Mission, its mandate and report, and to present the ACHPR’s roadmap for its Mission on Sudan. Possible avenues for collaboration and information-sharing between the two Missions were also proposed and discussed.
32. On 20 January 2025, I participated, in my capacity as a member of the ACHPR Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan, in a press conference organized by the ACHPR on the situation in Sudan. The conference brought together numerous NGOs, media outlets, and experts with the aim of providing detailed information on the Fact-Finding Mission, including its mandate, scope of action, and its open call for contributions and interventions.
33. From 17 to 28 March 2025, I participated, in my capacity as a member, in the virtual oral hearings of victims/witnesses held as part of the Fact-Finding Mission to Sudan.
D. ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORED BY THE MECHANISM IN AFRICA
1) Analysis of the situation of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and migrants during the intersessional period
34. The combination of factors such as conflicts, political violence, deteriorating socio-economic conditions, climate change, and food insecurity continues to cause massive displacement of people in several African countries. The number of forcibly displaced persons (including internally displaced persons (IDPs), asylum seekers, and refugees) continues to rise steadily, according to international and regional agencies (IOM, UNHCR, OCHA...).
35. During their displacement, these individuals experience numerous human rights violations, including abductions, arbitrary executions, extortion, gender-based violence, and precarious living conditions in both formal and informal hosting sites. Many refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons are unable to enjoy certain socio-economic rights, particularly the right to education and the right to health, especially for children.
36. The general situation of these vulnerable individuals is all the more alarming given that humanitarian response funding and aid for refugees, asylum seekers, and other displaced persons continue to suffer from restrictions, due to the reduction of funding for humanitarian assistance programs and severe budget cuts in the humanitarian sector . This comes at a time when the humanitarian emergency continues to worsen in many African countries — such as Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Ethiopia — and calls for greater international solidarity.
a) Refugees
37. During the intersessional period, the situation of refugees and asylum seekers across the continent remains a source of worry. Some States, particularly in North Africa, are yet to adopt national asylum legislation, while others have enacted laws that are only partially aligned with international and regional standards. In certain cases, planned reforms to existing asylum frameworks regrettably include provisions that are less favorable to refugees and asylum seekers.
38. According to UNHCR, at the end of 2024, the East African region, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes hosted around 5.6 million refugees and asylum seekers. Most were living in Uganda (1.8 million), Ethiopia (1.1 million), Sudan (838,000) and Kenya (824,000) . The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, intensified throughout 2024, forcibly displacing millions. By the end of 2024, 3.3 million Sudanese refugees had fled to Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, Uganda, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Chad.
39. In the Sahel, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger hosted, as of the end of December 2024, nearly 600,000 refugees and asylum seekers, including more than 51,350 who arrived in the second half of 2024.
40. Nearly 684,000 Central African refugees and asylum seekers remain hosted in Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan. The Yaoundé Declaration on Solutions in the context of Forced Displacement related to the Central African Republic Crisis aims to facilitate the return of 300,000 people between 2024 and 2028, with tripartite commissions scheduled to meet in 2025.
41. Since the beginning of 2025, the Great Lakes region has experienced an upsurge in violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Intense armed clashes have led to significant displacement of civilian populations. In response, many refugees are seeking to reach neighboring countries, particularly Burundi, which shares a 236 km border with the South Kivu province of the DRC . Over 136,000 people have fled the DRC to neighboring countries since the beginning of the year.
42. The population of refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya stood at almost 900,000 individuals as of 28 February 2025, primarily due to the resumption of registration at the Dadaab camp
and the influx of new arrivals from South Sudan, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Ethiopia . A significant portion of this population are heavily reliant on humanitarian assistance for their survival.
43. As good practice, Kenya has launched the Shirika Plan, a landmark initiative aimed at integrating refugees into host communities. This initiative will improve refugee management by shifting from humanitarian dependency to a more inclusive and progressive development model, rooted in the philosophy of “African solutions to African problems.” Centered on human rights, the Shirika Plan will also promote burden-sharing, resilience, and shared prosperity particulary in the context of donor fatigue and declining global humanitarian assistance.
44. We commend Kenya for this initiative and encourage other African states to follow this example, which aligns with the spirit of Resolution 565/2023 of the ACHPR on the inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and stateless persons in national socio-economic systems.
b) Internally Displaced Persons
45. During the intersession period, in Sudan, although the number of internally displaced persons has decreased over the past three months , the country remains one of the largest internal displacement crises in the world.
46. According to IOM, Sudan currently hosts approximately 11 million internally displaced persons, a figure that includes persons displaced before and after the outbreak of the 2023 conflict. A majority of the displaced individuals come from Khartoum, North Darfur, and South Darfur. They live in dire humanitarian conditions, with limited access to basic services, and are heavily reliant on humanitarian aid. Recent cuts in international humanitarian funding have further exacerbated the crisis and worsened their plight. More than half of the displaced population are children, with 27% under the age of five. Girls under 18 represent about 28% of the displaced population .
47. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is also experiencing one of the world’s largest internal displacement crises, with massive displacements—particularly since the beginning of this year—driven by the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. The number of internally displaced persons is nearing 8 million, many of whom live in precarious conditions, especially due to cuts in humanitarian assistance funding. Displaced populations are facing mounting challenges, particularly due to the spread of the Mpox epidemic and a sharp increase in sexual and gender-based violence targeting the most vulnerable women and girls.
48. The central Sahel region, especially the Liptako-Gourma area, which spans Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, is experiencing a complex, multidimensional crisis that has led to significant population displacements in the affected countries. As of January 2025, there were over 2,670,331 internally displaced persons: 64% in Burkina Faso, 16% in Mali, 11% in Niger, and 5% in Mauritania28.
c) Internal Displacement and Climate Change
49. Displacement caused by natural disasters continues to increase, mainly due to floods and droughts exacerbated by climate change.
50. At the end of 2024, torrential rains triggered by the El Niño weather phenomenon affected nearly 3 million people in Burundi, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan .
51. In Mozambique, the tropical storm led to the displacement of more than 450,000 people in the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa .
52. Climate-related internal displacement continues to rise, highlighting the urgency of addressing emerging issues—particularly through the establishment of a legal protection framework for people displaced by climate change, especially when they seek refuge across national borders. Additionally, there is a need for the development of a common African position grounded in human rights, to address the impact of climate change on population mobility across the continent.
53. In pursuit of this objective, the Commission adopted Resolution ACHPR/Res.628 (LXXXII) 2025 , on the need for a study on the development of a specific legal framework for the protection of forcibly displaced persons in Africa as a result of climate change.
d) Migrants
54. During this intersession period, a decline in irregular African migration to Europe via the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes has been observed. This is mainly due to EU-supported policies in certain African countries (such as Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, and Mauritania) aimed at regulating migration.
55. A similar trend has been observed along the Eastern Route, where irregular migration to Yemen (the main entry point to the Gulf countries) has decreased by 54%. This decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including the ongoing armed conflict in Yemen and intensified operations by the Djiboutian and Yemeni coast guards aimed at preventing migrants from crossing the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
e) Missing Migrants
56. In Africa, irregular migration occurs primarily along four major routes: the Eastern Route, the Southern Route, and the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes toward Europe. These land and sea migration corridors are among the most perilous and complex in Africa and globally, with significantly heightened risks of disappearance .
57. A recently published report (April 2025) by the IOM on “Missing Migrants and Countries in Crisis,” revealed that, in 2024, the African continent saw the highest number of migrationrelated deaths ever recorded, with 2,243 fatalities along migratory routes. The year 2024 marked the first time in which over 2,000 migration-related deaths were documented in the region. The deadliest routes are the crossing to the Canary Islands, which claimed 1,167 lives, and the Sahara Desert, where 478 deaths were recorded. It is also likely that the actual number of missing migrants is significantly higher than the current official figures.
58. During the intersession period, although the number of missing migrants decreased by about 300 in the early months of 2025, many cases continue to be reported, particularly on the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands and in the Sahara Desert .
59. While recalling Resolution ACHPR/RES.486 (EXT.OS/XXXIII) 2021 on missing migrants and refugees in Africa and the impact on their families and the need for its implementation, we call on State parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the African Union to intensify their efforts to combat irregular migration by addressing its root causes, particularly youth unemployment, armed conflicts, deteriorating socio-economic and political conditions, and climate change… by developing regular pathways for legal migration and ensuring that migration management policies and practices are based on the respect for the human rights of all migrants.
f) Statelessness
60. Despite progress made to facilitate access to a nationality and reform discriminatory laws, statelessness remains a major issue in Africa, particularly in West Africa, affecting nearly one million people. Millions more, especially in countries facing instability such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, continue to face legal, social, and historical obstacles that make them particularly vulnerable .
61. The #IBelong campaign, led by UNHCR, has played a key role in combating statelessness. Through strategic advocacy, legislative reforms, and enhanced cooperation between relevant stakeholders, it has achieved significant progress: legal recognition of stateless persons, improved birth registration, and strengthening of legal frameworks for claiming nationality.
62. Notable progress has been made in many States, including Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, and Senegal, where new mechanisms for recognizing statelessness have provided legal protection to thousands of individuals. Furthermore, the elimination of gender-based discrimination in nationality laws in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Benin, which now allows women to pass on their nationality to their children, marks a significant step toward equality and justice for future generations.
E. HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS IN COUNTRIES UNDER THE MANDATE
a) Libya
63. During the intersession period, Libya continued to experience the effects of institutional and political divisions , and the security conditions as well as the economic situation remained unstable, with serious repercussions on human rights and a prevailing climate of impunity.
64. From a security standpoint, the situation remains unstable, particularly due to increased rivalries between armed groups competing for control over various regions of Libya.
65. On the humanitarian and human rights fronts, the situation is equally concerning. Numerous allegations persist regarding human rights violations, including enforced disappearances,
arbitrary arrests and detentions, and cases of torture and ill-treatment . Numerous allegations also concern sexual violations and gender-based violence, particularly in the absence of a specific legal framework to address the issue , as the draft law on violence against women has not yet been adopted.
66. Despite the efforts made by the Libyan authorities and their expressed willingness to adopt a human rights-based approach to migration governance and the management of irregular migration, migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers continue to face significant challenges due to limited access to their human rights—especially following the influx triggered by the Sudan conflict that began in April 2023 ,—and the numerous violations they suffer. The often extreme conditions along migration routes through the Libyan desert through using irregular crossing points, have resulted in numerous deaths and disappearances.
67. During the intersession period, a disinformation and incitement to hatred and racial discrimination campaign on social media targeting migrants and asylum seekers has reportedly led to numerous arrests, instances of violence—some fatal—and an increasingly volatile situation, especially as many humanitarian organizations assisting migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Libya have suspended operations42. We urge the Libyan authorities to allow these NGOs to freely continue their humanitarian work, in compliance with national laws.
68. In terms of best practices, it is worth highlighting some positive developments, notably the efforts made by the Libyan authorities to dismantle human trafficking and smuggling networks, as well as the historic appointment of a woman as mayor for the first time in the country’s history, which reflects the Libyan state's recognition of the crucial role women play in governance.
69. We also wish to thank the State of Libya for its response of April 24, 2025 to an urgent appeal concerning the finding of mass graves containing the bodies of migrants, and encourage it to intensify collaboration and dialogue with the Commission.
b) Niger
70. During this intersession period, and following national consultations held last February, the Refoundation Charter was adopted and promulgated on 26 March 2025. Chapter IV of the Charter is devoted to fundamental freedoms, rights, and duties. Among the institutional reforms it introduces is the creation of an Observatoire national des droits de l’homme et des libertés fondamentales,ONDH/LF (national observatory for human rights defenders and fundamental freedoms) (as already stipulated by Order 2023-02), whose composition, mandate, and operations will be determined by a presidential ordinance. The Commission encourages the Nigerien authorities to establish the Observatory as soon as possible and to equip it with adequate resources to enable it carry out its mandate effectively.
71. On the security front, Niger continues to face serious challenges due to regional instability emanating from neighboring countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria, as well as the activities of armed groups and transnational criminal networks, particularly in the regions of Tillabéri, Maradi, Diffa, and Tahoua. In recent months, multiple attacks have targeted both military personnel and civilians, resulting in dozens of deaths and numerous injuries. We urge the Government of Niger to conduct prompt, impartial, and independent investigations and to bring those responsible to justice in order to end the prevailing climate of impunity.
72. The situation of many human rights defenders, journalists, and NGOs is also worrisome. Numerous allegations have emerged concerning arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as restrictions on the activities of certain humanitarian NGOs and the dissolution of others, negatively impacting humanitarian aid and assistance on which many people depend given the challenges facing Niger. The Commission urges the Nigerien authorities to allow these NGOs to continue their humanitarian work freely, in compliance with national laws.
73. It should also be noted that an order dated 26 March 2025 called for the dissolution of political parties, thus restricting political and civic space.
74. During the intersession period, the practice of provisional revocation of nationality continued against individuals suspected of actions such as disturbing public peace and security, producing or disseminating content disruptive to public order, or making racist, regionalist, ethnic, religious, or xenophobic statements, as well as against former officials linked to the previous regime, accused of "collusion with a foreign power and conspiracy against the authority of the State." The Commission expresses concern over such decisions, which could result in statelessness, and reminds the Nigerien authorities of their international obligations under the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, to which Niger is a party.
75. As good practice, it is important to highlight the release of several civilian and military figures imprisoned in connection with various cases described as political. This release was carried out in application of the resolutions and recommendations stemming from the national consultations held from 19 to 20 February.
c) Senegal
76. During this intersession period, irregular migration continued, but showed a decline, particularly due to the strengthening of security and enforcement mechanisms aimed at curbing the departure of irregular migrants, especially young people seeking economic opportunities. We encourage the Senegalese government to intensify efforts toward the implementation of appropriate policies that ensure employment opportunities for this significant segment of the Senegalese population.
77. In a sepate development, on 2 April 2025, the National Assembly adopted an interpretive law related to the general amnesty law (adopted in March 2024), excluding from amnesty in particular crimes as torture, assassination, murder, and enforced disappearances. However,
on 23 April 2025, the Constitutional Council invalidated this law, declaring it unconstitutional— particularly its first article—on the grounds that it violated constitutional principles, including equality before the law, by granting amnesty for acts considered imprescriptible crimes under international law, thus breaching Senegal's international commitments.
d) Tunisia
78. During the intersession period, migration remained a concern in Tunisia, as in many parts of the continent, requiring a global approach. A large-scale operation has been underway since the beginning of April to dismantle informal camps of irregular migrants, particularly in the south of the country. We urge the Tunisian authorities to conduct these operations with humanity and in accordance with international and regional human rights standards, and to continue their efforts to provide medical support for migrants in need of healthcare, especially pregnant women.
79. While the efforts made by the Tunisian government, in collaboration with IOM Tunisia, to carry out voluntary return and reintegration operations for over 2,000 irregular migrants to their countries of origin since early 2025 are commendable, collective expulsions and pushbacks are still taking place. We call on the Tunisian authorities to take the necessary measures to end collective expulsions and to protect the human rights of all migrants, regardless of their migration status, by ensuring respect for their human dignity.
80. In a separate matter concerning the trial in the so-called “plot against state security” case involving lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, and political activists, serious concerns have been raised regarding full compliance with the right to a fair trial and due process. Furthermore, the arrest of one of the defense lawyers, Ahmed Souab, for comments allegedly made following the trial, raises critical questions about the ability of legal professionals to represent their clients without fear of reprisals, and more broadly, about the safety and independence of legal practitioners—guaranteed under the international and regional instruments to which Tunisia is a party.
81. We also reiterate our concerns, expressed in previous reports, about freedom of expression and association for many human rights defenders, and we urge the Tunisian authorities to guarantee these freedoms as enshrined in the various international instruments ratified by Tunisia.
82. Lastly, we would like to thank the Republic of Tunisia for its response to an urgent appeal concerning allegations of kidnapping, smuggling and trafficking in human beings involving sub-Saharan migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Tunisia, and encourage it to continue its collaboration and dialogue with the Commission.
83. We also wish to thank the Republic of Tunisia for responding to the Commission's request to conduct a promotional mission at a date to be jointly decided. This reflects the Tunisian authorities' commitment to strengthening their relationship with the Commission and their willingness to enhance the protection of human rights.
F. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMANDATIONS.
84. I would like to reiterate the recommendations made in previous reports, some of which remain relevant, and to which new ones are added, namely:
a) To the States Parties to the African Charter:
- Take ownership of and implement the African Guiding Principles on the Human Rights of All Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers, adopted in 2023 by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
- Take ownership of Resolution ACHPR/RES.486 (EXT.OS/XXXIII) 2021 on Missing Migrants and Refugees in Africa and the impact on their Families, and Resolution ACHPR/Res.565 (LXXVI) 2023 on the inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and stateless persons in national socio-economic systems, services, and economic opportunities in Africa;
- Ensure that refugees enjoy all their human rights, particularly economic and social rights and certain freedoms, in accordance with national laws;
- Respect the principles enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and the OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, which uphold the fundamental principle of non-refoulement and the prohibition of collective expulsions.;
- Ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Specific Aspects of the Right to Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa, to allow for its entry into force as soon as possible;
- Reinforce the assistance granted to states hosting large numbers of asylum seekers or refugees, based on the principle of burden and responsibility sharing;
- End the detention of migrants solely on the basis of their migration status, and replace it, whenever possible, with more humane alternatives that respect the dignity of migrants.
b) To all Member States of the African Union:
- Ratify the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to the free movement of persons, tright of residence and right of establishment;
- For those who have not yet done so, ratify the OAU Convention governing the specific aspects of refugee problems in Africa (1969);
- Implement the objectives enshrined in the 2018 Global Compact on Refugees;
- Engage more actively in preventing forced displacement of populations within and outside their countries, regardless of the cause (armed conflict, climate change, major development projects, natural disasters, etc.), and provide protection when prevention fails;
- For those who have not yet done so, accelerate the ratification of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention); and for those who have ratified it, operationalize its provisions through policies and programs for internally displaced persons and report on this to the Commission in their periodic reports, as required by Article 14(4) of the Convention;
- Commit to the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (2018).
- Work on taking concrete measures to effectively address the challenges posed by the impact of climate change on the forced displacement of populations on our continent;
- Take measures to ensure that xenophobic and racist crimes against refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers are effectively punished, and provide access to remedies for victims.
c) To the African Union, we recommend:
- Encourage States to ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples'
Rights on the Specific Aspects of the Right to a Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa;
- Urge States to work toward the sustainable resolution of ongoing conflicts in order to eliminate the root causes of forced displacements, which gives rise to refugees, internally displaced persons, and migrants;
- Accelerate the operationalization of the African Humanitarian Agency by providing it with substantial funding and real operational capacity so that it can effectively respond to various humanitarian situations in Africa;
- Adopt a common African position on the issue of missing migrants.
d) To the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other UN agencies and international organizations, we recommend:
- Work upstream with African states to find durable solutions to the situation of refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons, especially long-term refugees;
- Increase humanitarian aid funding allocated to refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons;
- Strengthen collaboration with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights on topics of common interest;
- Continue to support our advocacy on the eradication of statelessness in Africa, and also the implementation of the recommendations of Resolution ACHPR/Res.565 (LXXVI) 2023 on the inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and stateless persons in socio-economic national systems, services, and economic opportunities in
Africa.
e) To civil society actors and other partners, we recommend:
- Develop strategies and action plans for the ratification of the Protocol on the Right to a
Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa;
- Continue advocacy for the universal ratification of the Kampala Convention;
- Continue their field engagement to keep us informed about the situation of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and migrants, and to provide support and assistance to the Special Rapporteur to enable her to effectively fulfil her mandate;
- To the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross), continue working with the States and the mandate on the effective implementation of Resolution ACHPR/RES. 486 (EXT.OS/XXXIII) 2021 on missing migrants and refugees in Africa and the impact on their families.
85. To conclude, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the States, our partners— particularly the African Union Commission, the ICRC, the UNHCR, and the IOM, as well as National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and all civil society organizations—for their continued support for our Mechanism.
Thank you for your kind attention.
