INTER-SESSION ACTIVITY REPORT OF HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER MUDFORD ZACHARIAH MWANDENGA
As
Member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
Vice Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities;
&
Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural (ECOSOC) Rights
Presented at the
83rd Ordinary Session
2 to 22 May 2025
Banjul, The Gambia
Table of Content
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 3
SECTION I – InterSession Activities ................................................................ 4
PART I: ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN IN MY CAPACITY AS A MEMBER OF THE .............................. 4
COMMISSION & COUNTRY RAPPORTEUR ........................................................................................... 4
PART II: ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN IN MY CAPACITY AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ............... 8 WORKING GROUP ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL (ECOSOC) ...................................... 8
RIGHTS IN AFRICA ................................................................................................................................. 8
SECTION III - SITUATION ANALYSIS OF ECOSOC RIGHTS ON
THE CONTINENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................... 9
PART I: SITUATION ANALYSIS OF ECOSOC RIGHTS ON THE CONTINENT ...................................... 9
PART II: Opportunities seized by the Working Group……………………………………13
PART III: CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................... 15
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
1. This Report is submitted in accordance with Rules 25(3) and 64 of the Rules of Procedure 2020, of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) and covers the activities undertaken during the inter-session period between the 81st and 83rd Ordinary Sessions of the Commission.
2. The Report covers activities I undertook as a Member of the Commission, as Country Rapporteur responsible for monitoring human rights situation in Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda; and as Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa.
3. The Report is divided into three (3) sections as follows:
(a) Section I: Introduction
(b) Section II:
- Part I - Activities undertaken in my capacity as a Member of the Commission and Country Rapporteur Monitoring Human Rights situation in my countries of responsibility;
- Part II – Activities undertaken in my capacity as the Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa.
(c) Section III:
- Part I – Situation analysis of ECOSOC Rights on the Continent;
- PART II: Opportunities seized by the Working Group on ECOSOC; and
- Part III - Conclusion and Recommendations.
SECTION II – INTER-SESSION ACTIVITIES
PART I: ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN IN MY CAPACITY AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION & COUNTRY RAPPORTEUR
A. Activities as a Member of the Commission
Strategic and Annual Work Planning Session 2025-2031
4. From 28th November to 1st December 2024, as a member of the Commission, I participated in the Strategic and Annual Work Planning Session 2025-2031 of the Commission, which took place in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting was organsied to strengthen the human, financial and technical capacity resources for the Commission; enhance monitoring, follow up and tracking of compliance by State Parties. The meeting further assessed the 2021 – 20025 Strategic plan implementation successes, challenges, lessons learnt and proposed structure of the 2026 – 2031 Strategic Plan and discussed the way forward on the input from Commissioners and members of the Secretariat on the way forward.
37th Extra-Ordinary Session
5. From 2nd to 6th December 2024, I participated in the 37th Extra-Ordinary Session of the Commission, held in Dakar, Senegal. The Session mainly considered Communications; Resolutions; Reports and other documents; and matters arising from the Commission’s 81st Ordinary Session.
82nd Ordinary Session
6. On 19th February to 9th March 2025, I participated in the 82nd Ordinary Session of the Commission, held virtually. The Session mainly considered Communications; Resolutions; Reports; other documents and matters arising from the Commission’s 37th Extra-Ordinary Session.
B. Country Monitoring:
7. In accordance with the Commission’s mandate under Article 45 of the African Charter, the Commission has an important role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment in respect for the provisions therein. In this regard, Members of the Commission have the responsibility to monitor the situation of human rights in countries and address concerns as appropriate. In doing so, State Parties and other stakeholders are encouraged “to cooperate and consult the Country Rapporteurs of the Commission in the design, planning, implementation and review of Human Rights mandate in their country.”
8. In line with my mandate, I monitor the situation of human rights as Country Rapporteur in the following five (5) State Parties to the African Charter, namely: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Republic of Liberia, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda.
9. During the intersession period therefore, I paid particular attention to the human rights situations in the respective countries, and in doing so, I issued letters of Urgent Appeals, and Press Release on the human rights concerns brought to my attention:
Letter of Urgent Appeal to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
10. On 23rd January 2025, the Commission addressed a letter of Urgent Appeal to H.E. Mr. Abiy Ahmed, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, regarding reports of alleged widespread human rights violations experienced by the Amhara people in Ethiopia, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia Regions.
11. The reports indicate that the Amhara Community has endured targeted massacres, ethnic cleansing, mass arbitrary arrests, and systemic economic discriminations for decades. The reports indicate that since April 2023, the Amhara People have also been subjected to a genocidal war allegedly led by the current regime. According to the reports, these groups have killed tens of thousands of Amhara in Oromia and in Amhara Regions in recent years and displaced millions. Furthermore, it is alleged that the armed groups are now waging a genocidal war against the Amhara people in the Amhara Region and elsewhere in the country. The reports further indicate that there is ongoing ethnic cleansing of Amhara people from Oromia Region and Addis Ababa city, the destruction of homes and properties, and non-stop indiscriminate bombing of Amhara civilians.
12. In view of the concerns expressed, and reaffirming the rights and freedoms enshrined in the African Charter, we condemned the alleged targeted massacre and ethnic cleansing of the Amhara people from Oromia region and Addis Ababa city and urge the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to:
i. halt the atrocities against the Amhara people in the Amhara and
Oromia regions; ii. immediately take steps to safeguard the Amhara people from the atrocities perpetrated against them by whomsoever;
iii. conduct independent and impartial investigations into the ongoing widespread and ethnic-based human rights abuses including the mass arbitrary arrests and economic discrimination in the Amhara and Oromia regions; and bring the perpetrators to justice;
iv. ensure protection of displaced persons and further ensure humanitarian assistance to address the dire conditions in the
Amhara region;
v. allow women, children and their families to return to their residences, minimize the children suffering in Internally Displaced
Persons (IDP) camps and allow them to get back to school; vi. take appropriate measures to compensate all victims whose homes have been demolished and lands have been taken, especially those who are lawful owners, and to ensure that those who destroyed the homes in Oromia region are brought to justice;
vii. ensure that the affected members of the community are informed, consulted, on any compensation and resettlement plans; and
viii. ensure protection, justice and restoration of the rights of the Amhara people regardless of political and ethnic consideration in line with the African Charter and other regional and international human rights instruments that Ethiopia is a party to.
13. The Commission is yet to receive a response from the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Joint Letter of Urgent Appeal to the Federal Republic of Ethiopia
14. On 28 January 2025, as the Country Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa, together with the Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa; we sent a letter of Urgent Appeal to H.E. Mr. Abiy Ahmed, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, regarding reports of the alleged unlawful detention and severe medical neglect of Christian Tadele, an Ethiopian Member of Parliament and advocate for Amhara rights.
15. According to the reports, Mr. Tadele has been subjected to politically motivated imprisonment, severe mistreatment, and the denial of essential medical care. Following emergency surgery for necrosis of the bowel— aggravated by the dire conditions of Kilinto Prison his health has deteriorated critically, with severe bleeding and infections placing his life in grave danger. The reports further indicated that this case is alleged to reflect a broader pattern of political repression in Ethiopia, where opposition figures and ethnic advocates reportedly face arbitrary detention and persecution. It was further alleged that Mr. Tadele’s imprisonment exemplifies an increasing trend of authoritarianism in the country, targeting critics and dissenting voices.
16. In view of the concerns expressed, and in light of Ethiopia’s regional and international commitments, we urged the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to:
i. take immediate action to release Mr. Tadele;
ii. ensure he receives urgent medical care;
iii. initiate an independent investigation into his detention and mistreatment and and bring the perpetrators to justice; and
iv. comply with the letter and spirit of the African Charter, the Luanda Guidelines, as well as other regional and international human rights instruments ratified by Ethiopia.
17. The Commission is yet to receive a response from the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Joint Letter of Urgent Appeal to the Republic of Uganda
18. On 24 March 2025, as the Country Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Uganda, together with the Chairperson of the Commission and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Focal Point on Reprisals and on Judical Independence in Africa, we sent a joint letter of Urgent Appeal to H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, regarding reports of alleged violations of the independence and security of legal professionals, particularity the the reported arbitrary arrest, detention, and sentencing of Advocate Eron Kiiza, the lawyer representing Dr. Kizza Besigye, a political opposition leader.
19. The reports allege that on 07 January 2025, Advocate Eron Kiiza was subjected to physical assault while representing his client before the Court. Subsequently, he was sentenced to a nine-month term for “contempt of court” by the General Court-Martial in Maindye in Kampala, Uganda and immediately transferred to Kitalya prison at 34 miles from Kampala. It has been alleged that these actions were premeditated acts intended to provoke Adv. Kiiza and provide grounds for punitive action against. According to reports received, the sentence against Adv. Kiiza was issued during a very short trial, which lacked the minimum standards for a fair trial process, as the charges were not read to him, and he was not afforded an opportunity to defend himself. Further reports received also indicate that the High Court Civil Division in Kampala dismissed an habeas corpus application filed by Mr. Kiiza on 06 February 2025 seeking to regain his freedom, on 03 March 2025.
20. In view of the concerns expressed and reaffirming the rights and freedoms enshrined in the African Charter, we respectfully urged the Republic of Uganda, within thirty (30) days of receipt, to:
i. Provide clarification regarding the above-mentioned reports;
ii. Secure the immediate release of Advocate Eron Kiiza, given the alleged arbitrary nature of his arrest, detention, and conviction.
iii. Ensure effective compliance with the provisions of Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of the African Charter, which concern in particular nondiscrimination, equality before the law, prohibition of torture, freedom and security of the person, and the right to a fair trial;
iv. Take all necessary legislative and other measures to create an enabling environment for lawyers to perform their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference;
v. Refrain from any actions that may constitute harassment, persecution, or judicial intimidation of human rights defenders, particularly legal practitioners; and
vi. Implement adequate safeguards, both in law and practice, to guarantee the full independence and protection of legal professionals and human rights defenders from retaliation for their professional activities.
21. The Commission is yet to receive a response from the Government of the Republic of Uganda.
PART II: ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN IN MY CAPACITY AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL (ECOSOC) RIGHTS IN AFRICA
Promotion and Protection of ECOSOC Rights in Africa through:
A. Strategic Engagements with Partners during the Intersession period of the Commission
Meeting of the Working Group on ECOSOC with partners
22. From 7 to 8 December 2025, as Chairperson of the Working Group on ECOSOC rights in Africa, I participated in a Meeting of the Working Group with its partners- Danish Institute for Human Rights, Network of African National Human Rights Institutions and Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, in Dakar, Senegal.
23. The meeting was organized to review and discuss the first draft Study on Integrating Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in National Development Planning in Africa (the Study) that the Working Group and its partners are working on. The meeting discussed and provided input to the first draft of the Study and agreed on an updated process plan for the finalization of the draft Study.
Evaluation & Planning Meeting of the Working Group on ECOSOC
24. On 8 December 2025, as Chairperson of the Working Group on ECOSOC, I chaired an Evaluation of the Workplanning Meeting of the Working Group, in Dakar, Senegal. The Meeting was organised to conduct an evaluation of the work of the Working Group for 2024 and to plan for the activities of the Working Group for 2025, as well as discuss other documents and matters arising from the last meeting of the Working Group.
SECTION III - SITUATION ANALYSIS OF ECOSOC RIGHTS ON THE CONTINENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
PART I: SITUATION ANALYSIS OF ECOSOC RIGHTS ON THE CONTINENT
25. During the inter-session period, in my capacity as the Chairperson of the Working Group on ECOSOC Rights in Africa, I monitored economic, social and cultural trends in State parties to the African Charter. The following trends that may have huge impacts on the economies of States parties and affect the realization of ECOSOC rights on our continent, caught my attention:
Right to Property – Article 14
26. Many African countries have constitutional and legal frameworks that recognize the right to property, though enforcement and implementation can vary .The development of property rights in Africa is a complex issue with ongoing efforts to strengthen legal systems and ensure the fair and equitable protection of land and property rights for all citizens. Disparities in access to land and property rights can perpetuate inequalities, particularly impacting women, marginalized groups, and those in informal settlements. This includes ensuring peaceful enjoyment of property, protection from forced evictions, and fair compensation for expropriated land, while also promoting transparency and public participation in land acquisition processes.
27. The Expropriation Act of 2025 replaces the outdated 1975 Expropriation Act, bringing South Africa’s land reform policies in line with constitutional principles. The 2025 Act introduces a transparent expropriation framework that balances land reform with legal safeguards. It clarifies compensation principles, strengthens legal protections, and introduces Expropriation Without Compensation (EWC) under specific conditions .
28. Across Africa, the majority of both rural and urban residents have insecure tenure rights, either in law or in practice. They face the legacy of land dispossession, colonial legal codes, contested customary tenure systems, and growing pressure on land in the face of commercial investments . Providing access to property and land rights can empower individuals, particularly women and marginalized groups, and contribute to poverty reduction.
Strengthening property rights is essential for achieving social justice and
ensuring that all citizens have equal access to economic opportunities and resources.
Right to Work – Article 15
29. In 2025, African employment law trends focus on employee well-being, workplace evolution, and technology integration, with ongoing support for hybrid/remote work and adjustments to national minimum wages. There's also a push for better workforce readiness and skills development for young Africans. 2025 promises to be an eventful year across the continent, with significant revisions and reforms in the pipeline for key labour laws in Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia to adapt to evolving workplace requirements .
30. There are also expected changes to foreign workforce policies in several jurisdictions, with regulations regarding the hiring of foreign workers under revision in Gabon and Mozambique, consideration in Kenya of the Labour Migration Management Bill 2024 to protect the rights of migrant workers. while in South Africa, a new category of foreign workers will be welcomed by virtue of the new digital nomad visa launched earlier this year .
31. In many jurisdictions, such as Angola, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa, economic conditions have resulted in recent increases to national minimum wages, with further increases anticipated in some of these jurisdictions, including Zambia, in 2025. Other countries, like Ethiopia and Namibia, which have historically had no prescribed national minimum wage, are set to introduce one, with the relevant wage order in Namibia becoming applicable from 1 January 2025 .
32. On the trends front, we are seeing growing emphasis on fostering a healthy work environment that prioritises, among other things, employee well-being, and there is ongoing support for, and in some countries, increased regulation of, hybrid or remote working models. Increased exploration and use by employers of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, particularly when it
comes to recruitment, is also a common theme, with varying levels of adoption being reported6.
33. Furthermore, States have the duty to ensure that marginalized groups such as women and persons with disabilities are not only given equal opportunities, but also equitable and satisfactory working conditions.
Right to Health – Article 16
34. With external health aid to Africa expected to plunge by 70% between 2021 and 2025, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched a continent-wide strategy to radically transform how health systems are financed, putting African resources at the centre of African health. The sharp decline in official development assistance, paired with a 41% surge in disease outbreaks from 2022 to 2024, is overwhelming already stretched health systems. Without urgent reform, the continent risks losing decades of hardwon progress in disease control, maternal care, and epidemic preparedness. The strategy urges governments to fulfil the Abuja Declaration by allocating at least 15% of national budgets to health7.
35. In 2025, the right to health in Africa continues to be a major focus, with ongoing efforts to strengthen health systems and address challenges like pandemics, climate change, and declining health aid. The Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025, for example, highlighted the need for African-led solutions and sustainable partnerships to secure Africa's health future. The conference brought together African and global health leaders to discuss how to create strong, resilient African health systems to secure Africa's health, development and economic future. Here are five key takeaways8:
i. African nations must work together, across borders, to share information and expertise to effectively combat global health threats;
ii. Regional and global partnerships in health, particularly pointing to the role of organisations such as the Africa CDC and WHO, are absolutely vital in strengthening health systems across the continent;
iii. Hospitals should be seen as garages for repair, while health is created at home.” This highlights the importance of investment in primary
6 ibid
7 AFRICA CDC Press Reelase: Africa CDC Unveils Strategic Plan to Transform Health Financing and Advance SelfReliance- https://africacdc.org/news-item/africa-cdc-unveils-strategic-plan-to-tr…
8 AMREF Health Africa- https://amrefuk.org/blogs/2025/03/unity-will-keep-africasafe#:~:text=3r…;
healthcare (PHC), clean water, sanitation, nutrition, and immunisation as preventive measures that can significantly reduce future healthcare costs;
iv. Global financing for critical health programmes is shrinking. African governments must prioritise domestic health financing; and
v. African governments must recognise and empower young innovators who are already creating health solutions. Technology and innovation, particularly in AI and digital health, should be owned and driven by Africans to foster self-reliance .
36. This conference also highlighted the critical need for sustainable immunization funding in Africa, emphasizing the negative impacts of underfunding, and advocated for diversified strategies, stronger primary health care, and publicprivate partnerships .
37. The Commission takes this opportunity to urge all States parties to fulfill all commitments and renew efforts in ensuring the full realization of the right to health, as enshrined in the African Charter.
Right to Education – Article 17
38. According to UNESCO, in 2025, the right to education in Africa remains a significant challenge despite commitments from African governments to guarantee 12 years of primary and secondary education and provide at least one year of free pre-primary education. While some countries like Zambia and Madagascar have made strides with free education policies, some disparities persist, particularly for children from the poorest households. Furthermore, quality education, including curriculum development, teacher training, and learning resources, needs substantial investment to ensure all learners acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills .
39. Outdated curricula, insufficient teacher training, and lack of relevant learning materials impact educational outcomes. Beyond access, ensuring quality education for students remains a significant hurdle. Many learners continue to struggle with foundational deficits, failing to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills.
40. Children with disabilities, girls, and those living in rural areas often face significant barriers to accessing quality education. Extreme poverty and economic losses add to the collected risks that are pushing children and the young generation out of school and derailing efforts to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Four out of 10 children in Sub-Saharan Africa live in extreme poverty. With high class fees and limited resources in the household, children are forced to join the workforce, get married, gather water, or simply stay home from school because their families can’t afford a school fee .
41. Conflicts in regions like Sudan and Ethiopia have displaced millions of children, severely impacting their education. Several African countries are implementing reforms, including competency-based learning and teacher development programs, to improve the quality of education .
42. I take this opportunity to urge State Parties to the African Charter to substantially increase investments in education across the African continent.
Social Protection & Social Security
43. Social protection provides benefits to individuals based on risks faced across the life cycle (e.g. unemployment, disability, maternity) and to those suffering from general poverty and social exclusion. The African Union Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security, adopted in 2022, is a key document for Africa, establishing a framework for member states to develop and implement social protection systems. This protocol aims to address social and economic challenges, improve access to essential services, and foster economic development by reducing social disparities.
44. Since the adoption of the Protocol to date, only 3 countires have signed the protocol i.e Niger, Sao Tome and Principe and Zimbabwe and only one country has ratfied i.e. Zimbabwe.
45. I therefore urge State Parties to the African Charter that have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security, inorder to address social and economic
challenges, improve access to essential services, and foster economic development.
PART II: Opportunities seized by the Working Group
46. In view of the above concerns raised, the Working Group is already engaging with partners in discussions on practical steps towards protection of ECOSOC rights as enshrined in the African Charter. The Working Group has also placed advocacy with States parties and relevant partners, on the concerns raised, on its priority list.
47. Resolution ACHPR/Res. 446 (LXVI) 2020 mandated the Working Group to conduct a Joint Study on the Right to Health and its Financing in Africa in collaboration with UNAIDS. The “draft Study is yet to be finalised for presentation to the Commission for adoption.
48. The Working Group on ECOSOC Rights and the Working Group on Extractive Industries were also mandated by the Commission to undertake a Study on Climate Change and human rights pursuant to resolution ACHPR/Res. 342(LVIII) 2016. The draft Study is finalised and will be presented to the Commission for adoption and publication thereafter.
49. Furthermore, pursuant to ACHPR/Res.561 (LXXV) 2023, the Working Group was tasked by the Commission, to work in collaboration with its partners to develop a Study on ‘Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and National Sustainable Development Processes in Africa’. The Working Group in partnership with Danish Institute for Human Rights, Network of African National Human Rights Institutions and Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria have developed a draft Study which is in the second phase of review by the Working Group and subsequently proceed to the consultation process.
50. In line with ACHPR.Res.579(LXXVIII)2024 Resolution on the Development of Guidelines on the Protection of the Rights of Workers in the Informal Economy Sector in Africa, the Commission tasked the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa, to develop Guidelines on the Protection of the Rights of Workers in the Informal Economy; together with Model Law(s) to regulate different occupations in the informal economy; and to work in collaboration with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa and other stakeholders in the drafting of the Guidelines and Model Law(s). The Working Group in partnership with Solidarity Centre has commenced work and is at the drafting stages of the Guidelines.
51. Furthermore, by Resolution ACHPR/Res.625 (LXXXII) 2025, on the need to develop Guidelines on the Elimination of Obstetric Violence and Promotion of Maternal Healthcare in Africa, the Commission task the Working Group on ECOSOC and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa to develop Guidelines on the Elimination of Obstetric Violence and Promotion of Maternal Healthcare in Africa.
52. Both mechansims in collaboration with its partners the Centre for Reprodcutive Rights are at the initial stages of developing the said Guidelines.
53. Futhermore, I utilised opportunities given by my engagements mentioned in the present report, as Chairperson of the Working Group, to advocate and participate in discourses that would popularise the adopted subsidiary human rights instruments - the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social
Security and the General Comment 7 on State Obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in the Context of Private Provision of Social Services.
PART III: CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
To States parties:
i. take legislative and other measures for the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights in accordance with the African Charter;
ii. sign, ratify and domesticate the Protocol to the African Charter on the
Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security; iii. develop social protection programmes that ensure that every citizen has equal access to adequate, affordable and quality health care;
iv. regulate activities of non-state actors/private actors that provide socio- economic related services;
v. create employment opportunities invest particularly in women and the youth;
vi. ensure access to housing and shelter by all including the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in society;
vii. ensure access to education for all, at every level of the education system;
viii. reform healthcare systems and provide access to health care including adequate and effective healthcare facilities and services for all;
ix. take measures and put in place access to water, sanitation and other basic health care necessities to the public, as conditions for safeguarding health and life;
x. take measures to ensure the full enjoyment of the right to food including quality food that meets the requirement of nutritional standards;
xi. develop action plans towards preventing and combating the negative consequences of climate change;
xii. enact policies that will discourage deforestation and forest degradations, reduce emissions that impact on health, and bring agricultural reforms that will result in increased food production;
xiii. ensure all national development plans including monitoring and evaluation mechanisms of such plans, are human rights driven and take into account their obligations under the African Charter, Agenda
2063 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals; xiv. make use of the Commission’s Principles and Guidelines on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, the State Reporting Guidelines for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the African Charter (the Tunis Reporting Guidelines); Declaration of the Pretoria Seminar on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa; the Guidelines on the Right to Water in Africa; General Comment No. 7: State obligations under the African Charter and in the context of Private Provision of Social Services and other regional and international human rights norms; and
xv. authorize promotion missions by the Commission, in line with Article 45(1) of the African Charter.
Civil Society Organisations and other partners:
i. Continue to collaborate and support advocacy efforts at the national, sub-regional and continental levels to implement economic, social and cultural rights; and
ii. Provide support to the Working Group on Economic Social and Cultural Rights in Africa, to enable it to effectively implement its mandate.
To all Stakeholders:
54. States parties, National Human Rights Institutions, Non-governmental organisations and all other partners in mobilising efforts and resources towards projects that will translate into enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in the African countries where they operate.
Conclusion:
55. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to all the Members and Expert Members of the Working Group in the execution of our mandate. I would also like to extend profound appreciation to all our partners for their continued support and call for a continuous collaboration in promoting and protecting Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa.
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