AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGHTS 85th ORDINARY SESSION
21 to 30 October 2025 Banjul, The Gambia
Public Session
Intersession Report: Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa
Honourable Commissioner Marie Louise ABOMO
Chairperson of the Working Group
Country Rapporteur for Angola, Burundi, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon
INTRODUCTION
1. I submit this Report in my capacity as Member of the Commission, Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa, Vice-Chairperson of the Working Group on Specific Issues, Vice Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa, Member of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV), Persons at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV; and Country Rapporteur for the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Gabonese Republic.
2. The Report is an obligation incumbent upon me in accordance with the provisions of Rules 25 (3) and 64 of the Rules of Procedure of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
3. Presented at the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission or ACHPR), this report covers the period between the 83rd and 85th Ordinary Sessions of the African Commission, i.e. the period from 1 May 2025 to 6 October 2025, and summarises my intersession activities in the context of the various thematic and special mechanisms entrusted to me.
4. My report is structured as usual in three parts. I will present, in turn, the activities in which I participated in my overall capacity as Commissioner of the Commission, those I carried out under my Special Mechanism on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities, and those of other specific responsibilities (I). Furthermore, I will provide an overview of my findings on the human rights situation in the countries for which I am Rapporteur (II). The third part will be my recommendations (III).
5. However, given that my six-year term as Commissioner is coming to an end in February 2026, it is appropriate within the context of this presentation to provide a brief assessment of this role and identify the prospects for follow-up.
I. ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE INTERSESSION
A. ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN MY CAPACITY AS COMMISSIONER AT THE COMMISSION 1. PARTICIPATION IN STATUTORY SESSIONS
6. In my capacity as a member of the African Commission, I participated in the 83rd and 84th Ordinary Sessions of the Commission. I also participated in the 38th Extraordinary Session.
7. The 83rd Ordinary Session, which was public, was an-person one held from 2 to 22 May 2025 in Banjul, The Gambia.
8. I presented my intersession report at that time, and the Final Communiqué of the 83rd Ordinary Session can be accessed by using the following link https://achpr.au.int/fr/news/communique-de-presse/2025-05-22/communique-final-de-la-83e-session-ordinaire-de-la-commission.
9. The report of the 84th Ordinary Session (private), held virtually from 21 to 30 July 2025, is available at https://achpr.au.int/fr/news/final-communiques/2025-0804/communique-fin…;
10. The 38th Extraordinary Session was held online on 19 September 2025. Its Final Communiqué can be consulted at https://achpr.au.int/fr/news/finalcommuniques/2025-09-23/communique-final-de-la-38eme-sessionextraordinaire-de-la.
11. The Commission's activities and deliberations arising from these sessions are summarised in the aforementioned Final Communiqués.
12. Realities encountered in the course of my activities in 2024.
2. PARTICIPATION IN THE PROMOTIONAL MISSION TO ESWATINI IN JULY 2025
13. I was part of the Commission delegation that carried out a promotion mission in Eswatini from 14 to 20 July 2025. The Honourable Commissioners responsible for this mission will provide more details on this activity, and further information on the mission can be found in the end-of-mission communiqué available by following this link at
https://achpr.au.int/en/news/press-releases/2025-07-22/press-statementconclusion-promotion-mission-kingdom-eswatini.
B. ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF SPECIAL MECHANISMS
14. This report mainly covers activities carried out in my capacity as Chair of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa.
15. The other Special Mechanisms of which I am a member will present all the activities and initiatives in which I have taken part, in their intersession reports. These mechanisms are the Working Group on Specific Issues, of which I am ViceChair, the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa, and the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV (PLHIV), People at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV.
16. Furthermore, regarding the Working Group on Communications, which I chair, its activities are the subject of a separate report, which I invite you to consult and follow closely when it is presented.
ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN AFRICA
a) PREPARATION OF THE PANEL ON PROTOCOLS DURING THE 85TH ORDINARY SESSION
17. During the intersession period, I oversaw preparations for the panel on Protocols, which was held during the current session. Partners were contacted during the intersession period to work on the implementation of this panel. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to these partners, namely the Africa Disability Forum and the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria. We are calling on other partners to join us in supporting the cause of older persons and persons with disabilities.
18. The theme of the Panel was "The Protocols on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities: One Year after their entry into force, lessons and prospects for better protection of the rights in question". Its objective was to take stock of the situation one year after the entry into force of the two Protocols and to reflect on ways to effectively promote and protect the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities in Africa through the effective implementation of the Protocols. It also provided an opportunity to discuss the actions to be taken by all stakeholders immediately, in the short, medium and long term, to achieve the objective of effectively promoting and protecting the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities in Africa.
b) SIDE EVENT IN COLLABORATION WITH NGOs WORKING ON DISABILITY AND AGEING
19. The Working Group, in collaboration with the Africa Disability Forum and its partners, worked on the preparation of a side event scheduled for 21 October 2025.
20. The Working Group also collaborated in the preparation of a side event with the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria. This event is scheduled to take place on 22 October 2025.
21. These two joint actions demonstrate how open the Working Group is to bringing together all stakeholders working on its themes in order to better promote and protect the categories in question, in accordance with the Working Group's mandate and mission.
c) FOLLOW-UP ON THE INITIAL REPORT ON THE SITUATION OF THE RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN AFRICA
22. During the period under review, despite the lack of funding to finalise this report, I supervised the work on the document. Discussions are currently underway to review the structure of the report. The Working Group is systematically updating the data in the report, based on developments observed in monitoring the situation of the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities on the continent, carried out by experts with territorial competence for each of the sub-regions of Africa from which they originate.
23. I continue to call on States Parties concerning the collection of relevant information.
d) PARTICIPATION IN THE WEBINAR ON THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 2025
24. The Working Group, through its Expert for the Southern African region, Mr Andrew Kavala (appointed for this purpose by the Chair of the Working Group), participated in the above webinar. This activity was organised by the Working Group on Children with Disabilities and the Special Rapporteur on Education of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
25. The objectives of the webinar were as follows:
• Promote international and regional instruments relating to children with disabilities and the right to education, with an emphasis on the added value of the African Charter and Protocol on Persons with Disabilities
• Document progress made in the education of children with disabilities and best practices implemented by States and other stakeholders;
• Identify the legislative, administrative, institutional and budgetary challenges encountered in realising the right to education for children with disabilities
• Identify ways to effectively include children with disabilities in education.
• Define the actions and measures to be taken to guarantee the right to education for children with disabilities, from their enrolment to the end of their higher education, in accordance with international and regional standards
26. I would like to thank the Committee for this invitation, as well as the Expert who represented the Working Group for the quality of the work carried out during this webinar.
e) PARTICIPATION IN THE SEMINAR ON RATIFICATION – ACCRA, 27-28 SEPTEMBER 2025
27. The Honourable Commissioner Dr Litha Musyimi-Ogana has agreed to present a paper on my behalf on the theme "Mapping and monitoring progress on the ratification and implementation of the protocols on older persons and persons with disabilities" at this event organised by the African Commission. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her officially for her willingness to do so.
e) APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE TWO PROTOCOLS
✔ CORRESPONDENCE TO STATES PARTIES ON THE RATIFICATION OF THE PROTOCOLS
28. I have instructed the Secretariat to send a letter to each of the 54 States Parties to the Charter according to their position on the two Protocols.
29. Thus, the letters were either letters of congratulations for the ratification of the two Protocols or letters advocating for the ratification of these Protocols.
30. Fifty-four letters were sent to the highest leaders of the States Parties to the Charter in June 2025. It is hoped that these letters will lead to an acceleration in ratifications and deposits of instruments of ratification, with a view to achieving continental ratification of these two Protocols.
✔ STATUS OF PROTOCOL RATIFICATIONS AND SUCCESSES ACHIEVED
31. The status of ratifications of the two Protocols to date shows the progress made in this regard since my last intersession report, allowing us to see the trend on this issue and the impact of our concerted actions towards the goal of their ratification across the continent by 2028, in line with the commitment made at the Global Disability Summit.
32. As of 16 April 2025, the Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa has been ratified by seventeen (17) States (Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Kingdom of Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Togo and Zimbabwe. The following twenty-six (26) States have signed it: Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Kingdom of Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Niger, Uganda, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Togo and Zambia.
33. Thus, compared to the last intersession report, the number of ratifications for the Protocol on Older Persons has increased from 16 to 17. The number of signatures remains at twenty-five. The latest ratification brought to my attention is that of Uganda, which, after ratifying the Protocol on 30 October 2024, deposited its instruments of ratification on 15 July 2025.
34. Consequently, we must work to obtain 37 ratifications and effective deposits of instruments of ratification in order to achieve continental ratification, it being understood that only the 54 States Parties to the Charter can become parties to an instrument derived from it, such as the Protocol in question. With regard to the Protocol on Persons with Disabilities, ratifications and signatures have remained unchanged since my last intersession report, namely 17 ratifications.
II. HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN THE COUNTRIES UNDER MY PORTFOLIO
35. As stated above, the countries are as follows: Angola, Burundi, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon.
A. REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA
1. On the general human rights protection
36. I received numerous alerts about this country at the height of the protests against the high cost of living and fuel prices. These allegations were the subject of a letter of concern detailing all the situations deemed to be causing hardship to the population. On 21 July 2025, I received a letter from the Republic of Angola providing information on these events, which took place at the end of July 2025. Even before analysing this correspondence, I greatly appreciate this approach, which demonstrates the country's ongoing willingness to interact with the African Commission.
37. In return, I provided them with a copy of the joint letter of concern that I had cosigned and sent to them.
38. During the intersession period, on 18 July 2025, I co-signed the Joint Press Statement on the signing of the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls by Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Liberia and The Gambia. It is available at the following link: https://achpr.au.int/en/news/press-releases/2025-07-18/signing-africanunion-convention-ending-violence-against-women-girls. On the rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities
39. As reported in my previous intersession reports, the Republic of Angola has signed and ratified the two Protocols relating to older persons and persons with disabilities and has deposited the instruments of ratification. Thus, the State Party is positioning itself as one of the countries that will be champions in my vision for intervention after the Protocols come into force. This is all the more so given that during the hearing with Her Excellency Ms Antónia Yaba, Secretary of State for Human Rights and Citizenship, who led the Angolan delegation to this 85th Ordinary Session, I was informed of many positive developments that have taken place in the country over the past year.
B. REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI
1. On the general protection of human rights
40. In my previous report, I mentioned that I had received various alerts that were being processed. In this vein, on 1 July 2025, I sent an urgent appeal to the President of the Republic of Burundi, and I can say that dialogue with this country is ongoing, as a response to the letter has been received. Discussions on these cases will continue so that the issues of concern on the protection of the rights guaranteed in the Charter can be addressed appropriately.
41. Furthermore, the overall human rights situation in this country, as I described in my last report, remains fundamentally unchanged. These include challenges related to managing the impressive flow of refugees arriving from the DRC due to the security crisis there, the worrying prison situation as observed during the March 2025 promotion mission, and other challenges related to the standard of living in one of the poorest countries in the world.
42. During the intersession period, I issued two press releases on Burundi, as follows:
i. Press release on the celebration of the 63rd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Burundi
ii. Joint press statement on the signing of the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls by Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Liberia and The Gambia
2. On the rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities
43. Burundi ratified the Protocols on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities and deposited the instruments of ratification on 4 July 2022.
44. In my previous report, I mentioned the Commission's willingness to support the optimal implementation of the two Protocols, which have now been in force for a year.
C. REPUBLIC OF CONGO 1. On the general protection of human rights
45. The Congo has begun its electoral cycle with the setting, by decree of 7 August 2025, of the dates for the revision of the electoral roll and the presidential elections on 22 March 2026.
46. I also urge the Republic of Congo to address the multiple human rights challenges that I have highlighted in my previous reports. These include, among others, the need to address issues such as the lack of a specific legal framework for the protection of human rights defenders; the underrepresentation of women in decision-making bodies; allegations of self-censorship by the media and other human rights defenders due to restrictions on civic space; allegations of torture, conditions in the country's 17 official prisons that fall well below international standards, the continuing deterioration in the living conditions of the poorest sections of the population, with an alarming unemployment rate, etc.
47. I reiterate my request for a promotion mission to your country to enable me to objectively assess the human rights situation there.
48. Finally, it should be noted that on 15 August 2025, I issued a press release on the celebration of the anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Congo. It can be consulted by following the link https://achpr.au.int/fr/news/communiquede-presse/2025-08-15/celebration-de-lanniversaire-republique-du-congo.
49. On 18 July 2025, I also co-signed the joint press statement on the signing of the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls by Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Liberia and The Gambia. It can be accessed via the following link: https://achpr.au.int/en/news/press-releases/2025-07-18/signing-africanu…. On the specific rights of persons with disabilities
50. The Republic of Congo has not signed the Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons. However, it has not only signed but also ratified the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
C. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
1. On general human rights protection
51. The complex crisis that has been ongoing for years in the Democratic Republic of Congo has led to a multitude of serious and multifaceted violations of human and peoples' rights. Reports from relevant actors are unequivocal: war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed, and there are suspicions of genocide that have taken place in the DRC and continue to unfold.
52. Civilian populations and the most vulnerable groups, namely children, older persons, people with disabilities and women, are the most affected. We speak of a humanitarian crisis when, despite peace efforts and negotiations, fighting continues and civilian populations are constantly fleeing to safer destinations.
53. I support the ongoing peace initiatives and hope that the recent progress made towards silencing the guns will hold and bear fruit, so that the terrible suffering of the civilian population can finally come to an end.
54. Finally, I will never cease to reiterate my request to visit this country. As I have stated in my previous reports, this mission is a priority for my role as Country Rapporteur for the DRC, and I call on the country's authorities to respond favourably and officially to this request for a visit.
55. Two press releases on the DRC were issued during the intersession period, as follows:
i. Press release on the celebration of the sixty-fifth anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, available at https://achpr.au.int/fr/news/communique-de-presse/2025-07-
02/communique-anniversaire-de-lindependance-de-la-republique; ii. 18 July 2025 Joint press statement on the signing of the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls by Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Liberia and The Gambia. It is available at the following link: https://achpr.au.int/en/news/press-releases/2025-07-18/signingafrican-union-convention-ending-violence-against-women-girls. On the rights of persons with disabilities
56. The Democratic Republic of Congo has not signed the Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons or the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I reiterate that, in view of the human rights situation in this country as outlined above and taking into account the legal framework of this country regarding these two categories of vulnerable persons, it seems more necessary than ever for the country to ratify these two Protocols. These instruments are the best way to ensure their protection against the multiple vulnerabilities to which they are subjected in the context of the multifaceted crises taking place in the DRC.
D. GABONESE REPUBLIC 1. On the general human rights protection
57. As we all know, there is a honeymoon period when a new leadership team takes office in any organisation, and States are no exception to this reality. Gabon must therefore use this honeymoon period to address the major human and peoples' rights issues that have been consistently mentioned in my previous reports.
58. Since my previous reports, I have received numerous allegations in this regard. These include allegations of prison overcrowding, allegations of torture and, more generally, allegations of difficulties in fulfilling the State's obligations towards the population with regard to their economic, social and cultural rights. It should also be noted that government measures have been taken which, in practice, stigmatise non-nationals, who are accused of being the source of the socio-economic difficulties faced by nationals. A promotion mission is needed to ascertain the reality of the situation so that, if necessary, the appropriate corrections can be made to this narrative, which is already having harmful consequences in the country, as such an interpretation is incompatible with human rights.
59. On 15 June 2025, a letter of congratulations was sent to the newly elected President of Gabon following his resounding election victory and the peaceful conduct of the polls, bringing a successful transition to an end. This letter was co-signed by the Chairperson of the Commission and myself in my capacity as Country Rapporteur for Gabon.
60. On 17 August 2025, I issued a press release on the occasion of the celebrations of the 65th anniversary of the independence of the Gabonese Republic. This press release can be viewed at the following link: https://achpr.au.int/fr/news/pressreleases/2025-08-17/elebration-de-lan…. On the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities
61. As I mentioned in my previous reports, Gabon has signed the two Protocols relating to older persons and persons with disabilities. Ratification remains, and I urge the Gabonese authorities to proceed with this.
62. The far-reaching reforms currently underway in the country under the new Republic provide an opportunity to take all the necessary steps to enable Gabon to become a full party to these two Protocols and begin their effective implementation.
III. RECOMMENDATIONS
63. My recommendations below remain, for the most part, similar to those made in my previous reports. I therefore urge the Member States of the African Union and parties to the African Charter:
i. With a view to achieving continental ratification, to ratify, for those who have not yet done so, the two Protocols on the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities;
ii. With a view to enabling its finalisation, to contribute to the Initial Report on the Situation of the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa, which is currently being prepared by my Working Group; iii. With regard to Congo, the DRC and Gabon, countries for which I am the Rapporteur and which have not yet hosted such a mission since my appointment as Rapporteur for them, kindly authorise and facilitate the Commission's visit to their territories for a promotion mission; iv. Furthermore, with regard to the countries for which I am Rapporteur and whose human rights situations have been identified in this report, kindly provide their version and interpretation of these analyses so that we can work closely together to improve their human rights performance and share their good practices in this area;
v. For the DRC specifically, I recommend that the direct talks and commitments contained in various preliminary agreements to date be followed up with concrete action to end this war and preserve human rights; and that the international community mobilise the emergency humanitarian aid needed to address the needs of internally displaced persons and refugees in the region, particularly in Burundi;
vi. I urge the African Union to provide the Commission with sufficient funding to enable it to carry out its mission effectively and fulfil its mandate;
vii. I urge partners and donors to kindly intensify their multifaceted support to the Commission in the effective execution of its mandate for the realisation of the Africa we want.
IV. BRIEF ASSESSMENT AND OUTLOOK FOR MY RESPONSIBILITIES COVERED BY THIS REPORT
64. In my general capacity as Commissioner of the Commission, I have participated in all statutory sessions during these six years of my term of office, for a total of 31 sessions, including 20 Ordinary and 11 Extraordinary Sessions. I have also participated in four promotion missions, two of which were coordinated by me, as they concerned countries for which I am the rapporteur. I have participated in and/or organised more than 100 activities, both virtual and in-person, including those where I represented the Chairperson of the Commission.
65. In my capacity as Chair of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa, I was able, through a multifaceted awareness-raising strategy, to obtain from the States Parties to the Charter the number of ratifications necessary for the entry into force of the two Protocols, from 2021 to 2024. It should be noted that when I took over the reins of this Working Group, there were only two ratifications for the Protocol on Older Persons and none for Persons with Disabilities. To date, both instruments have 17 ratifications each.
66. I supervised the work of the Working Group's experts in drafting an initial report on the situation of the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities in Africa. This highly strategic document, which serves as a dashboard and a true mapping of the rights situation of these two categories of persons, makes it possible to identify trends, statistics, and the legal and institutional framework relating to their rights, in order to formulate the type of actions necessary to better protect these persons. I urge the Secretariat of the African Commission to consider the possibility of allowing this important work to be finalised.
67. In my capacity as Chair of the Working Group on Communications, I was able to secure the introduction of the opposition procedure against decisions rendered by default against States Parties. I also secured the abolition of the practice of simultaneous application of the 2010 and 2020 Rules of Procedure.
68. In my capacity as Country Rapporteur, I have worked on the following countries: Angola, Burundi, Congo, Gabon and the DRC. I was able to carry out promotion missions in Angola and Burundi. These two countries are among
the first to have ratified both Protocols to the African Charter protecting the rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities. I sincerely thank them for their willingness to cooperate. Through its ratification, Congo enabled the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to enter into force. Gabon had begun the process of allowing a promotion mission, but this process was unfortunately halted by the sudden death of His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time. The DRC responded positively to a resolution on the situation prevailing in its territory. Burundi replied to a letter of concern that I sent to the country's highest authorities.
69. Thus, during the six years of this first term, in the area of data and statistics, I sent approximately 74 letters (advocacy letters, letters of thanks, urgent appeals and letters of concern or congratulations), published around 50 press releases and statements, initiated seven resolutions, presented 11 intersession activity reports, etc., in an effort to fulfil my mandate to the best of my ability.
70. With regard to the outlook, I must point out that the challenge of funding must be taken seriously in order to enable the finalisation and publication of the Initial Report on the Situation of the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa, the finalisation of the action plan for the implementation of the Protocols, and the development of guidelines for State reports relating to these two Protocols within the framework of Article 62 of the Charter.
71. I humbly urge the five States Parties for which I am Rapporteur to update their periodic reports if they have not already done so. I hope that the DRC, Congo and Gabon will authorise a promotion mission to their countries.
CONCLUSION
72. These six years spent at the Commission have been rich in lessons and experiences for me, and I would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank my colleagues, the Honourable Commissioners, all the staff of the Commission Secretariat, and all the individuals and organisations that have enabled me to make my modest contribution to the work of promoting and protecting human and peoples' rights on our continent. All these individuals and entities have spared no effort in supporting the Commission in general in its mission and in assisting the Working Group on Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities (GTPAPH) in particular in the implementation of its mandate. The results mentioned above could never have been achieved without the contribution of each and every one of them.
73. Furthermore, I am particularly grateful to the States Parties as a whole. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Republic of Cameroon, my country, and specifically the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA, for the opportunity he gave me by nominating me as Cameroon's candidate for election to the position of Commissioner at the Commission, and for all the support I received in strict respect for my independence. My gratitude also goes to all the States Parties of the African Union, through the PRC, for listening to me and being open to dialogue with me on each of my responsibilities within the Commission. My gratitude also goes to the countries under ny purview as Country Rapporteur. I have no doubt that the gains from this cordial interaction will continue beyond the scope of the discussion in question for the better protection of human rights on the continent.
74. I urge all these actors to continue in this spirit of collaboration to achieve our common goal, a goal that lives on and will live longer than each and every one of us: the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa, a noble, ongoing and continuous endeavour.
Thank you for your kind attention.
