1. Banjul, 27 August 2023 - The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) held a successful two-day Continental Workshop that focused on the Status of Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa on the 25th and the 26th of August 2023. The workshop was conducted virtually and was chaired by Hon. Commissioner Dr. Litha Musymi-Ogana, the Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa (WGIPM).
2. The workshop was attended by at least 115 participants and brought together State Representatives, traditional leaders, indigenous representatives, researchers, civil society organizations, representatives from the United Nations and other international organizations, and the Commission's Secretariat staff.
3. The overall objective of the Continental Workshop was to map out indigenous communities on the continent as well as unpack the knowledge embedded in their ecosystem in general, and specifically in different clusters, including indigenous knowledge, cultural and traditional practices, art and music, production systems, traditional leadership, environmental resilience, and livelihoods. The workshop aimed to unlock their potential, empower them, and create development opportunities for them.
4. The Virtual Workshop identified top priorities in terms of Remote Health for indigenous Communities, setting of indigenous Communities/Population Clusters and reporting on these priorities to the Validation Workshop which is to take place in November 2023. The outcome of the workshop will be shared at a later stage.
5. Issued by:
Secretariat, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District Western Region.
PO Box 673
Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: 220 4410505/6
Fax: 220 4410504
E-mail:au-banjul@africa-union.org
